Campuget's Merlot is always a fine value. The dark ruby-colored 1998 Merlot (made from yields of 46 hectoliters per hectare; 5,000 cases exported to America) offers a bright, cherry-tinged, mocha, chocolatey-scented nose, as well as rich, round, vibrant, black cherry and berry flavors. Like all the Campuget offerings, it is completely tank-fermented and aged. This medium-bodied, deliciously fruity effort should drink well for 1-2 years. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

This wine (100% Merlot from 20-year old vines that has been tank-fermented and aged) is among the finest Merlots $7 can buy. Moreover, there are 7,500 cases distributed throughout the United States. It's dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an intense, sweet black cherry, and chocolate-scented nose, good glycerin, a chewy texture, and a pure, ripe, hedonistic, fruit-driven style. It should drink well for several years.This wine may be even better than my point score. Chateau de Campuget is one of the stars of the up and coming appellation of Costieres de Nimes. This wine, tank-fermented and aged, is exciting because of its wonderfully pure fruit, texture, and purity.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

The 1996 Merlot (from a 22-year old vineyard) reveals none of the vegetal/pickle barrel, coffee, and washed-out berry flavors (from appallingly high yields) that are so common in 90% of the under $20 Merlots found in the marketplace. This wine possesses a deep ruby/purple color, dense, sweet, chocolatey, black-cherry fruit, not much complexity, but copious quantities of glycerin, extract, and fruit in its low acid, surprisingly bold framework. With 13% natural alcohol, it offers a blast of berry fruit in an easy to understand, delicious, silky-textured style. Drink it over the next several years. I find it ironic that importer Robert Kacher, who is justifiably renowned for his portfolio of top-flight Burgundies (aged largely in new oak casks), does especially fine work in under $20 wines that never see one day in oak! The Domaine du Campuget wines are tank-fermented and aged. Excellent values.The wines reviewed in this segment are the finest Campuget wines I have yet tasted. Many readers are already familiar with the glorious wine bargains that this domaine has produced in the past from this region, just south of Avignon in the Mistral-beaten, lunar-landscape-like area that is the corridor between the southern Rhone valley and Languedoc-Roussillon. Many of our nation's small quality importers have discovered that the finest wines of Costieres de Nimes merit serious attention. Prices are still a bargain, but do not expect that to last long given today's international wine market.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

Looking for a wine that truly tastes like Merlot, with no vegetal, washed-out, tea, and stewed herbal notes? This 1995 Merlot exhibits an excellent deep ruby color, attractive black-cherry fruit, medium body, and a supple texture, with surprising fat and ripeness. Tank fermented and boasting 13.2% alcohol, this is no wimpish wine. It offers exuberant levels of Merlot fruit in an uncomplicated, attractive, forward style. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. It is an exceptional value.Chateau du Campuget continues to produce terrific bargains that have been justifiably supported by both the wine trade and the consuming public.Robert Kacher: 2015 Vine Street NE, Washington, DC 20018; tel. (202) 832-9083, fax (202) 529-2579

Campuget's 1994 Merlot is an unfiltered, tank-fermented Merlot that emphasizes this varietal's black-cherry fruit character. The healthy dark ruby color is followed by a wine with gobs of sweet berry fruit, medium body, a soft, lush, generous palate, and a gutsy, heady finish. It is a delicious, richly fruity Merlot for drinking over the next 1-2 years. Chateau de Campuget has an enviable track record as a perennial crowd-pleaser.Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083. Both of these offerings are best buys.