Red Bicyclette 2005 Merlot

keeping in the cheaper category, this offering from a mass producer in france. the nose was strawberry, vanilla, floral-jasmine quality and a little cedar. the palate was black cherry right away, followed by a little strawberry at mid palate and finished with anise. medium tannins and a little drier than normal. all for the price of about $8. had this with a really nice braised beef and mashed potato meal that worked well together. this was not a great merlot, but very nice for the price. worth it for those on a tight budget.