Best Red Wine: The Top Wines to Check Out
Rich and bold, silky and smooth, or perhaps fruity with a touch of spice at the end, just a few of the many flavors we are fortunate enough to experience when tasting a good bottle of red wine. Whether you want to relax on your deck, enjoy with a perfect meal, or toast with friends, knowing the best red wine will only make your evening better.
We’ve compiled a list of the best red wines of 2019. We hope one of these will grace your next dinner party.
Product FAQ
The best red wines combine flavors that harmonize with your food or your mood. Each red wine is different and unique. There are many combinations within each wine, and you don’t need a sophisticated pallet to enjoy the flavors. You just need to appreciate them.
1. Why Choose a Red Wine?
Red wine is made from dark red grapes and usually aged for some time. The region the grapes are from, the amount of time they have aged, and the materials used to age them dictate the flavor of the wine.
The best red wines usually inhibit a full flavor which is why they are known to be served with richer meals, such as red meat. However, not all red wines are the same. You can find lighter red wines or sweeter if that’s what you prefer. In the other direction, if you like bold flavors, red wine will certainly not disappoint.
2. What Are the Types of Red Wine?
Within the category of red wine, you’ll find there are many types of wine, such as a cabernet, pinot noir, Malbec, Bordeaux, and red blends.
3. How to Choose the Best Red Wine?
This depends on what flavors you enjoy. If you enjoy dark, rich, red wines, look for cabernets or malbecs. If you prefer wine on the sweeter side, perhaps try a Bordeaux.
4. Where Is the Best Place to Buy Red Wine?
You can get wine at any local wine store. There is always a good selection on hand, and they usually have a variety of prices to choose from. You can also buy wine on Amazon, and we’ve provided links to our favorite wines in this article.
How We Reviewed
To arrive at our list of the best red wines of 2019, we took the time to research each wine. We reviewed the flavors, the features of each red wine, and what each wine has to offer. We debated the pros and cons and looked at the price of each of the best red wines on our list.
Each palate is unique and red wines can be subtle to some or intense for others. We have described the best red wines on our list to make the choice a little easier for you when you go to choose which wine you will sample next.
Overall Price Range of Red Wines
The best red wines on our list vary in price as much as the flavors vary, and you will find this with any wine. There is a red wine for any price point. The cost of a wine doesn’t always dictate the flavor.
What We Reviewed
- Montoya Cabernet
- Carson Ridge Cabernet Paso Robles
- Domaine Loubejac Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
- Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno
- Flichman Malbec Tupungato
- Valserrano Rioja Crianza
- Chateau Feret Lambert Bordeaux Superieur
- Line Shack Cabernet San Antonio Valley
- Sextant Cabernet Sauvignon Paso
- Wildhaven Red Blend Untamed Columbia Valley
Quality
This Cabernet is one of the best red wines because it is full of rich and toasty elements. You’ll pick up on flavors of blackberry, plum, and vanilla. You may even notice a bit of currant. This Cabernet is from the Napa Valley region in California. It is recommended that you pair this rich, red wine with steak, lamb, or even sausage.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Full flavors of berry, vanilla, and toasty oak. This is a rich, dark, full-bodied red wine.
Quality
This wine on our best red wine list is full of life. It comes from the central coast of California in the Paso Robles area. This Cabernet boasts flavors of oak and berries, and it is more on the medium to full-bodied side. It pairs perfectly with a flavorful meal or a plate of your favorite cheese.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
This wine is full of flavors from berries to oak, with a bit of spice to finish it off. This is a medium to full-bodied red wine.
Quality
When we think of the best red wines in the United States, we normally think of California, but Oregon has a lot to offer. This pinot noir is from the Williamette Valley in Oregon and resembles a French red wine. When you taste this pinot noir, you’ll note flavors of black cherry, raspberry, and rose. This wine is on the lighter side and would be paired well with red meat or fish.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Vibrant, light and bright with a hint of berries and rose. This is a lighter wine, yet still a full-bodied red.
Quality
This red wine is from New York. This is a red wine blend of 30% Montepulciano and 70% Sangiovese, which makes this reminiscent of sweeter, Italian red wines. It has flavors of black cherry and strawberry, and a wonderful element of earthiness and spice. This would be excellent paired with veal.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Vibrant, light and bright with a hint of berries and rose. This is a lighter wine, yet still a full-bodied red.
Quality
This malbec comes from Argentina and provides a full-bodied wine with smoky flavors of oak. This wine on our best red wine list is a dark, rich option but not too dry. It would be excellent paired with spicy food.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Dark, rich wine with a kick of spice and smoky flavors. This is a full-bodied wine.
Quality
Let’s take a trip to Spain to find this fresh, light blend. This red wine comes from the Rioja region of Spain and provides us with a mix of black fruit and hints of licorice. This lighter wine, yet still intense, would be paired well with any meal.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Lighter blend wine with flavors of berry and licorice. This is a full-bodied red wine with intense flavors.
Quality
This cabernet is from the San Antonio Valley in the Monterey region of California. This full-bodied wine has hints of blackberry, currant, plums and even mocha. It contains medium tannins that make it have a long finish after sipping.
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Deep, full flavors of fruit and mocha. This full-bodied red wine is rich and bold.
Quality
This is another on our list for best red wine from the Paso Robles region of California’s central coast. This red wine offers spices and hints of cranberries, cherries, chocolate, and a roasted coffee.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Lots of flavors within this wine of berries, chocolate and a hint of roasted coffee. This is a full-bodied red wine.
Quality
This red wine blend comes to us from the Columbia Valley in Washington State. This blend has flavors of blackberry and cedar and provides a great crispness. This wine would be paired well with any meal.
PROS
CONS
Where to Buy
totalwine.com
Taste
Lots of flavors within this wine of berries, chocolate and a hint of roasted coffee. This is a full-bodied red wine.
The Verdict
Our list of the best red wines covers the globe from California, New York, Argentina, and Spain. Each wine has a specific and unique blend of flavors that resonates with all red wine lovers. If you’re in the mood for the best red wine for any occasion, we recommend the Montoya Cabernet for its excellent blend of flavors and ability to pair with almost anything.
