As another year comes to a close, it’s time to update our annual list of The Best Red Wines Under $20!
Once again we tasted a ton of great wine this year so selecting our very favorites is never an easy task. That said, the wines that follow are our picks for those that offer the very best combination of taste and price. Hailing from all over the world and covering a number of different varieties and styles, there’s something for everyone on our list.
Looking for white wines and rosés? Check out our Top 10 White and Rosé list here!
10) Kirkland Signature Toscana – A Sensational Super Tuscan
Super good again!
Made for Costco by the well-known Caiarossa winery, this is the real deal and can easily go head to head with Super Tuscans retailing for much, much more. If you see it buy a bunch because it never lasts long on Costco’s shelves.
Read the full review, check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine and peruse more of our favorite wines from Italy.
9) Exquisite Collection Malbec – All Day, Every Day
A $7 daily drinker from Aldi that will knock your socks off.
Next up on our list of the best inexpensive red wines is one of the first wines we ever tried from Aldi and it’s still one of our favorites. Surprisingly well put together, at this price we’d buy this all day, every day.
Read the full review, check out our Giant Guide to Aldi Wine and peruse more of our favorite Malbec.
8) Nino Negri Quadrio Valtellina Superiore – A Beauty of a Wine
Value priced Nebbiolo!
We can’t have a list of the best inexpensive red wines without having at least one more from from Italy and while we almost went with either the Masi Campofiorin or the Doga Delle Clavule Morellino di Scansano in this spot, our pick goes to the Nino Negri Quadrio. This beauty of a bargain Nebbiolo offers Barolo taste without the Piedmont price tag.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers or check out our giant listing of The Best Italian Wines.
7) La Paca Sonriente Garnacha – A Trader Joe’s Top Pick!
The Calatayud delivers again.
There were plenty of worthy choices from Trader Joe’s this year (like the Grand Reserve Sonoma Meritage and the Albero Monastrell) but we’ve got a soft spot for good Garnacha, especially when it comes from the Calatayud. This example from Trader Joe’s is an easy pick as one of our best red wines under $20.
Read the full review, check out more of the Best Wines From Trader Joe’s and find the rest of our favorite Garnacha here.
6) La Gitana Gold Rioja Reserva – Gold Indeed
A $50 SRP for only $11.99? Costco delivers another killer Rioja Reserva.
At #6 on our list of the top 10 red wines under $20 comes another classic Costco deal on a Rioja Reserva. I think just about every one of our Top 10 red lists since we started 10 years ago has included one of these deals. This is a remarkably well put together wine, aided by 28 months in oak.
Read the full review, check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine and peruse more of our favorite wines from Rioja.
5) Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel – Hit The Mother Lode
One of our most popular Insider Deals from one of the original wineries in Dry Creek Valley.
Started during Prohibition, the Pedroncelli winery has definitely withstood the test of time. This bottling includes grapes from the original 110+ year-old “Mother” vines from a vineyard purchased by John Pedroncelli Sr in 1927. It offers an extremely flavorful but well-balanced expression of Zinfandel. Fantastic!
Read the full review and check out our other Insider Deals as well as more of our favorite Zinfandel.
4) Substance Cabernet Sauvignon – A Stunner
A can’t miss pick for the Cab lovers.
Washington State + Cabernet Sauvignon + Charles Smith + Costco = a surefire formula for success. We’re big fans of each of these things individually so the combination is a dream come true! And never fear if you don’t have a Costco nearby, this wine should be widely available as well.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine.
3) Bodega Garzon Tannat Reserve – Bring It On
Terrific Tannat from Uruguay.
Making a strong statement at #3 on our list of the best red wines under $20 is a wine from Uruguay! Full-bodied, smooth and tannic, this wine is right up our alley. If you like deep, dark and savory wines we think you’ll agree.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine.
2) Trinitas Cellars Mataro – Totally Bodacious!
Nothing if not bold.
At #2 on our list of the top 10 red wines under $20 comes a 100% Mourvedre from 90+ year old vines that normally retails for $35. The reason it was under $20 was because we offered it as an Insider Deal. Trinitas uses the Portuguese name for the grape, Mataro, for this wine from California which edges out all the actual wines from Portugal on our Top 10 list. (Honorable mention to the Pocas Vale de Cavalos and the Grilos Reserva Red.)
Read the full review and check out our other Insider Deals as well as more of our favorite wines from California.
1) Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua – Still Scrumptious
Wonderfully satisfying and half the price!
Our pick for the very best red wine under $20 is the newly re-styled Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua. In fact, we liked it so much we gave it a perfect 10 Taste rating!
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out more of our favorite GSM blends under $20.
And that’s it for the 2019 list! Curious which wines made the list of the best cheap red wine in previous years? Check out the results below.
The 2018 Top 10 Red Wines Under $20:
10) La Posta Armando Bonarda – A Bonanza From Mendoza
9) J Bouchon Pais Viejo – More Pais Please
8) Locations E Spanish Wine – An A+
7) Vigilance Cimarron Red Blend – One Finely Crafted Cuvée
6) Quinta De La Rosa Douro Red – Perfection From Portugal And It’s Not Port
5) Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva – Costco Scores Again
4) Feudi Di San Gregorio Rubrato Aglianico – Delightfully Good
3) Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise – Mouth Awakening
2) Gerard Bertrand Minervois – A Mosaic of Mouthwatering Flavors
1) La Posta Pizzella Malbec – Dark, Inky and Delicious
The 2017 Top 10 Red Wines Under $20:
TIE 10) Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva – Classic Indeed!
TIE 10) Pontificis – A GSM Blend for the Masses
9) Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine – Something Special
8) Cameron Hughes Red Mountain Red Blend – A Wine To Wow
7) Locations F French Wine – Vive la France!
6) Confidencial Reserva Tinto – An Age-Worthy $8 Wonder
5) Locations OR Oregon Red Wine – Absolutely Delicious
4) Michael David Winery Petite Petit – Big-Time!
3) Carlos Serres Reserva – Silky Smooth Rioja Goodness
2) Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend – Oak So Good
1) Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend – Much More Than Malbec
Want more of our favorite picks? Be sure to check out our “Best Of” listings for individual lists by variety and region.
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