As another year comes to a close, it’s time to update our annual list of The Best Red Wines Under $20!
We tasted so much great wine this year that this was probably the hardest it’s ever been to choose just 10 wines. Which also means there are LOTS of great wines that didn’t make this list. (Check out our other “Best Of” lists for those.)
That said, this year’s list includes a combination of the absolute best tasting wines as well as those with the most extreme value. Hailing from all over the world and covering a number of different varieties and styles, there’s something for everyone on our list of the best red wines under $20.
Looking for white wines and rosés? Check out our Top 10 White and Rosé list here!
Your daily drinking options just got a whole lot better with this $6.99 find from Trader Joe’s.
A classic Cabernet-Merlot blend that is rather simple, but really well done and really delicious (and really inexpensive).
Read the full review, check out our Giant Guide to Trader Joe’s Wine and peruse more of our favorite wines from France.
A lovely wine!
Available widely, including often at Costco, this Italian blend features a small amount of dried grapes to take things up a notch.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine.
Seriously delicious Cab from Washington State!
Still just as good as ever, this is a seriously delicious wine and an amazing value in Cabernet for as low as $12.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our giant listing of The Best Cabernet Sauvignon.
This might just be the best value among all of the Costco Kirkland Signature wines.
We’ve reviewed (and loved) this wine so many times over the past 8-10 years that we’ve lost count. When we find a wine priced this low that is this impressive year after year, we can’t help but sing its praises.
Read the full review, check out more of the Best Wines From Costco and find the rest of our favorite red blends here.
Elegant and delicious Walla Walla Valley Cab with a perfect 10 Taste rating!
An Insider Deal earlier this year, this is not a wine that would normally fall anywhere close to our price range. Thanks to the 40% discount with our limited time deal we’ve been enjoying this one immensely over the last few months.
Read the full review and check out our other Insider Deals as well as more of our favorite wines from Washington State.
Highly recommended Cabernet Franc from Argentina!
We spent quite a bit of time earlier this year exploring the excellent Cabernet Franc being made in Argentina and this was one of our favorites which is rather amazing considering this is the first vintage made of this wine!
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our list of The Best Cabernet Franc
A favorite grape from a place you don’t normally find it.
We love Tannat and this one made by a French winemaker in California is simply stunning. We gave it a perfect 10 taste rating.
Read the full review and check out our other Insider Deals here.
A California Tempranillo that lives up to its Spanish heritage
We found this one at a great Costco price but it is also available elsewhere. Just as good as many wines from Ribera del Duero (where the vines came from), an incredible 29 months in oak takes this one to the next level.
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out our Giant Guide to Costco Wine.
A beauty of a Barbera with a perfect 10 Taste rating!
Another Insider Deal with a huge discount (now sold out) this Barbera comes from Amador County, a heavenly little spot for this Italian varietal. We’re head over heels for this one…
Read the full review and check out our other Insider Deals as well as more of our favorite wines from California.
An excellent Costco find made from Rioja’s other big red grape.
If you’re looking for extreme value this Garnacha from Rioja delivers, especially at the incredible Costco price!
Read the full review, see a listing of local retailers and check out more of our favorite finds from Costco.
And that’s it for the 2020 list! Curious which wines made the list of the best cheap red wine in previous years? Check out the results below.
The 2019 Top 10 Red Wines Under $20:
10) Kirkland Signature Toscana – A Sensational Super Tuscan
9) Exquisite Collection Malbec – All Day, Every Day
8) Nino Negri Quadrio Valtellina Superiore – A Beauty of a Wine
7) La Paca Sonriente Garnacha – A Trader Joe’s Top Pick!
6) La Gitana Gold Rioja Reserva – Gold Indeed
5) Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel – Hit The Mother Lode
4) Substance Cabernet Sauvignon – A Stunner
3) Bodega Garzon Tannat Reserve – Bring It On
2) Trinitas Cellars Mataro – Totally Bodacious!
1) Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant Cuvée Oumuamua – Still Scrumptious
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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