Best Red Wines Under $20

It’s the end of another year which means it’s time to update our annual list of the best red wines under $20!

We tasted a ton of great wine in 2017 so selecting out our Top 10 is never an easy task. That said, the wines that follow are our picks for those that give the very best bang for your buck. Hailing from all over the world and covering a number of different varieties, there’s something for everyone on our list.

Read on for our 2017 year-end list of the best red wines under $20!

TIE 10) Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva – Classic Indeed!

Everything we love in a good Chianti.

First up on our best red wines under $20 list is the type of wine you really should never be without, especially if you love Italian food. This Chianti Classico Riserva spends 14 months in oak and offers a whole lot of deliciousness along with that classic rustic Chianti character.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Italian Wines.

TIE 10) Pontificis – A GSM Blend for the Masses

A consistently good Trader Joe’s pick.

Next up on our 2017 listing of the best red wines under $20 is one of our favorite blends, Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre. Juicy, smooth and even a little earthy, this example from the Languedoc is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s for just $7.

Read the full review and check out our giant listing of The Best Wines At Trader Joe’s.

9) Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine – Something Special

There’s a whole lot of good things going on in this blend!

A long-standing recommendation, the 2015 rendition of this Cab, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese blend from Washington easily lives up to our high expectations. Big, dry, tasty and complex there really is something special going on with this one.

Read the full review and check out our giant listing of The Best Wines at Costco.

8) Cameron Hughes Red Mountain Red Blend – A Wine To Wow

Good enough for a special occasion, cheap enough to drink every day!

A very special find from the tiny and prestigious Red Mountain AVA, this is a fantastic blend of Cab, Merlot and Syrah. Wonderfully smooth, juicy and spicy, this is a killer wine!

Read the full review and check out our giant listing of The Best Red Blends Under $20.

7) Locations F French Wine – Vive la France!

No rules except great taste.

This innovative wine from Dave Phinney combines grapes from the Roussillon, the Rhone and Bordeaux all in one bottle! Deep, complex and very long on the finish, the fourth rendition of this wine (F4) can be found for around $15.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best French Wines.

6) Confidencial Reserva Tinto – An Age-Worthy $8 Wonder

This Costco find may only be $8 but it tastes like it’s worth a lot more.

Red blends from Portugal have long been on our list of some of the highest value wines you can find and this one is no exception. A blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tinta Roriz, it punches way above its price point even offering some good aging potential.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out or giant listing of The Best Wines at Costco.

5) Locations OR Oregon Red Wine – Absolutely Delicious

Dry, smooth and spicy.

A bit of a departure for Dave Phinney’s Location Wines in that this is a single variety and not a blend, but just like the other wines from this line that we’ve recommended, it’s a winner. One of the better Pinot Noirs we’ve tasted this year and that’s saying a lot.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Pinot Noir.

4) Michael David Winery Petite Petit – Big-Time!

A full-bodied hedonistic pleasure available at Costco.

Thick, dark, inky goodness made primarily from one of our favorite varietals, Petite Sirah, with 15% Petit Verdot. Full of big flavor, it also shows some impressive balance.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Wines At Costco.

3) Carlos Serres Reserva – Silky Smooth Rioja Goodness

The highly satisfying Carlos Serres Reserva.

We can’t have a Best Red Wines Under $20 list without a stop in Rioja and once again that wine is a Rioja Reserva. Aged in oak for 24 months (and another 12 in bottle before release) this silky smooth example offers fantastic QPR (quality to price ratio).

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Wines From Rioja.

2) Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend – Oak So Good

A wonderfully good wine from Washington State.

Washington State is one of our favorite spots to find high value wines, and within Washington there’s probably no more reliable producer in the under $20 category than Chateau Ste Michelle. On the oaky and tannic side and full of lush dark fruit, this blend of primarily Syrah and Merlot is right up our alley.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Wines from Washington.

1) Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend – Much More Than Malbec

This is a red blend done right.

And finally we come to the number one spot on our list of the best red wines under $20! This unusual blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Franc is unusually good and the best part is that its available for as low as $10. However, be forewarned – this is no mass market, artificially sweet and over-oaked red blend. Dark juicy fruit, coffee, spice and much more await in this velvety, delicious wine.

Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our giant listing of The Best Wines From Argentina.

And that’s it for the 2017 list! Also be sure to check out our list of the Best White and Rosé Wines under $20.