Well, the winner of the "best under $30 wine" was the Swanson Merlot, based upon availability in my area and your replyies to my posting. I picked up a bottle and gave it a try.

99 Swanson Merlot - Dark cranberry color with a touch of youthful dark purple. Medium to good clarity. On the nose, mild notes of plum leaden fruit and soft oak. Opens soft on the pallet with notes of slightly smokey fruit, plum, and a touch of current. Had a bit of a bite to it on the mid pallet. The finish mingled plum, oaky fruit and chocolate notes around a frame of tight tannins. Moderate length. I found this to be wrapped pretty tight right now and may become more revealing with some cellar time. Decent match with grilled ribeyes. My rating: 87 pts.

95 Murphy - Goode Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Medium cranberry color with a lighter body than many recent cabs. Good clarity. Moderate nose of cooked cherries, licorice, and smoke. Soft on the pallet with cherry, current, and smoked wood notes riding on a stem of puckering tanins. Moderate spicy finish with a slight note of damp wood. A decent every day wine. My rating: 86pts

"Every bottle holds the perfect wine until it's opened"