I need a good wine in the -30 dollar range. Preferably a merlot or cab. Any suggestions?

I have been experiencing with some different wines and have really become fond of white wines however i have found for the most part they don’t seem to go well with red meat and pasta. I have tryed merlot in the past and hated it my question are all red wines like that or does anyone have suggestions for a "better" red wine to go with pasta and red meat.