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    Red Blends! The 2023 Guide To The Best Red Blend Wines

    Some of the best value in wine today comes from inexpensive red blends, which are simply a combination of different red grape varieties. When done well, these blends allow the winemakers to essentially take the best of each variety and combine them for what is often much greater than the sum of its parts.

    The Best Red Blends Under $20!

    Most red blends these days tend to fall into two categories -- the more traditional dry blends which can come from both Old World (France, Italy, Spain, etc.) and New World (Argentina, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand, etc.) producers. Then there are the ever popular, slightly sweeter (and usually fairly cheap) red blends. These are mostly a California creation but are increasingly found everywhere. Typically a bit sweet, these wines leave (or add) some residual sugar in the mix. Some of the extremely popular mass-markets wines fall into this group.

    Click here to get a printable shopping list of the best red blends!

    "Bordeaux blends" might be the most famous in this category, usually combining traditional red Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a few others. Of course, if the wine isn't actually made in Bordeaux, it technically can't be called as such so wineries will typically refer to them as "Bordeaux-style" or alternatively label them as "Meritage", which is the official name for these blends outside of Bordeaux.

    In this list we highlight the best of all these styles so you can decide which you prefer! Only those wines that can deliver exceptional quality for the price are reviewed here.

    And one last note if you're skeptical of blended wines -- laws in many areas allow a wine to be labeled as a single variety if it contains as little as 75% of that variety. This means your favorite single variety wine might already be a red blend, unbeknownst to you!

    Read on for our list of The Best Red Blends Under $20!

    Bulk Buy INSIDER DEAL! Shannon Ridge Home Ranch Red Blend

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 25, 2023 Last Updated: September 27, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Shannon Ridge Home Ranch Red Blend

    Daily Drinker Alert! Save XX% on this Bulk Buy rated blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot and Barbera. The Shannon Ridge Appellation Series Home Ranch Red Blend is today's Insider Deal. And now that summer is over we're back to an even lower shipping price (and no more … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Lake County, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages - A Whole Lot of Complexity For $7

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 20, 2023 Last Updated: September 20, 2023

    Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages - A Whole Lot of Complexity For $7

    The best value in all of the Costco Kirkland Signature wines? We check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre from Cotes du Rhone Villages, France. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Costco, France, France - Rhone, GSM, Kirkland Signature, Pizza Wine, Red Blends, Thanksgiving, Wedding Wine

    Rough And Ready Cab Franc vs Cab Sauv From Trader Joe's

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 16, 2023 Last Updated: September 16, 2023

    Rough And Ready Cab Franc vs Cab Sauv From Trader Joe's Review

    A battle of the Cabernets? Or just a fruit bomb of a red blend? We review the Rough And Ready Cab Franc vs Cab Sauv from Trader Joe's. A blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, California - Lodi, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    INSIDER DEAL! Donati Family Vineyards Claret - Clearly Delicious

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 6, 2023 Last Updated: September 8, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Donati Family Vineyards Claret - Clearly Delicious

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. A BULK BUY Bordeaux style blend that might just be too easy to drink, the Donati Family Vineyards Claret returns with an even lower … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Costco Grands Vins de Bordeaux Box Set Review

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: September 1, 2023 Last Updated: September 12, 2023

    Costco Grands Vins de Bordeaux Box Set Review

    Four highly discounted Bordeaux wines in a wood box for a total of just $29.99, we review the 2020 edition of the Costco exclusive Grands Vins de Bordeaux box set! Four Bordeaux wines, with decent scores (90-91 points), for just $7.50 a bottle in a nice wood box. Whether … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, Costco, France, Merlot, Red Blends, Thanksgiving

    INSIDER DEAL! Peterson Vignobles Red Wine - A Perfect 10

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: August 23, 2023 Last Updated: August 25, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Peterson Vignobles Red Wine - A Perfect 10

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. BULK BUY! Don't miss this Perfect 10 (94+ point), 150 case, Rhone-style beauty from Dry Creek Valley. Insider Deal All-Star Peterson … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Dry Creek Valley, Carignan, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends, Thanksgiving

    Juan Gil Red Blend - Smooth and Juicy

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: August 23, 2023 Last Updated: August 23, 2023

    Juan Gil Red Blend - Smooth and Juicy

    A smooth blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell and Syrah at a great Costco price, we review the Juan Gil Red Blend. A red blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) and 10% Syrah from Jumilla, Spain. The wine spends 12 months in French and American … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Costco, Highly Recommended, Red Blends, Spain, Vegan

    INSIDER DEAL! XX% Off The Beau Vigne Collection Hero Red

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 31, 2023 Last Updated: August 2, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! 67% Off The Beau Vigne Collection Hero Red

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. A big time wine at a big time discount. Get 3 bottles for the price of 1 on the Beau Vigne Collection Hero Red through today's … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Trader Joe's Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Review

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 27, 2023 Last Updated: July 27, 2023

    Trader Joe's Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Review

    An easy and uncomplicated red blend, we review the Trader Joe's Reserve Paso Robles Meritage Lot 239. A Meritage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec from Paso Robles, California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Meritage, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso Review

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 22, 2023 Last Updated: September 13, 2023

    Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso Review

    A $10 Southern Italian red blend from Trader Joe's, we review the Ruggero di Bardo Anniversario Apulia Rosso. An undisclosed blend from Puglia, Italy. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Italy, Pizza Wine, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    INSIDER DEAL! J Dusi Escandalosa - An Explosion of Delicious

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 21, 2023 Last Updated: July 24, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! J Dusi Escandalos - An Explosion of Delicious

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Scandalously good at XX% off! It's another deep, dark and delicious blend featuring that Mourvedre that J Dusi does so well. Don't … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    INSIDER DEAL! Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico - A Red Blend Revelation

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 14, 2023 Last Updated: July 17, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico - A Red Blend Revelation

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. A no-brainer Bulk Buy red blend from the QPR masters at one of our favorite wineries returns. It's the Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, California, California - Dry Creek Valley, Deals, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine - Something Special

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: July 9, 2023 Last Updated: August 8, 2023

    Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine - Something Special

    The Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine has a whole lot of good things going on! We review the latest vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah from Columbia Valley, Washington. While this vintage doesn't note it, previous vintages have spent … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Costco, Highly Recommended, Kirkland Signature, Red Blends, Thanksgiving, Washington

    INSIDER DEAL! Brutocao Torrent and Cabernet Sauvignon

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 26, 2023 Last Updated: June 30, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Brutocao Torrent and Cabernet Sauvignon

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Save XX% on a Perfect 10 (94+ point) red blend and a 91-93 point Cabernet. Today's deal includes two fantastic estate wines, the Bulk … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Roustabout Meritage - Easy-Going

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 24, 2023 Last Updated: June 26, 2023

    Roustabout Meritage - Easy-Going

    An easy to drink red blend with a blue-collar price, we review the latest vintage of the Roustabout Meritage from Trader Joe's. A Meritage blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petit Verdot and 27% Merlot from Paso Robles, California. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Meritage, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    INSIDER DEAL! Brutocao Mixed Italians - A Dynamic Duo

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: June 5, 2023 Last Updated: June 7, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Brutocao Mixed Italians - A Dynamic Duo

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. Brutocao Cellars is back with a little bit of Italian heaven from Mendocino. Don't miss the XX% discount on these new vintages of the … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: California, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Pizza Wine, Red Blends

    Esteban Martin Garnacha Syrah - A $5 Costco Find

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 21, 2023 Last Updated: May 21, 2023

    Esteban Martin Garnacha Syrah - A $5 Costco Find

    A ripe and jammy red blend from Carinena, Spain at a great Costco price. We review the Esteban Martin Garnacha Syrah. A blend of 60% Garnacha and 40% Syrah from vines aged 20-65 years old in the gravelly soils of Carinena, Spain. The wine is vegan friendly. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Costco, Garnacha, Highly Recommended, Red Blends, Spain, Spain - Carinena, Vegan

    Chateau Roudier Montagne Saint-Emilion - A Good Value

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 16, 2023 Last Updated: May 18, 2023

    Chateau Roudier Montagne Saint-Emilion - A Good Value

    Another affordable Bordeaux find at Trader Joe's, we review the Chateau Roudier Montagne Saint-Emilion. The label doesn't specify the blend but Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are the only varieties permitted in the appellation. It is likely … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: France, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Dancing Flame Red Blend – A Sure Thing

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 7, 2023 Last Updated: May 7, 2023

    Dancing Flame Red Blend – A Sure Thing

    Revisiting the latest vintage of a nice evening wind down wine from Aldi, the tasty but uncomplicated Dancing Flame Ojos del Salado Red Blend. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carmenere and 10% Syrah from Central Valley, Chile. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Aldi, Chile, Red Blends

    Baron De Taste Reserve Margaux From Trader Joe's

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 27, 2023 Last Updated: April 27, 2023

    Baron De Taste Reserve Margaux From Trader Joe's

    Another Trader Joe's find from a prestigious area of Bordeaux, but does it measure up? We review the Baron De Taste Reserve Margaux. No details are given but given the Left Bank location this wine is likely a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon but could also contain … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: April 15, 2023 Last Updated: April 18, 2023

    Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Review

    A true Diamond Reserve or just a big name? We review the new Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Pauillac Lot #04. Today we're checking out the fourth wine in Trader Joe's top of the line Diamond Reserves series. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: France, Red Blends, Trader Joe's

    3 Rein Never Tame Red Blend From Aldi

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 25, 2023 Last Updated: March 25, 2023

    3 Rein Never Tame Red Blend from Aldi

    Another nice Aldi find for just $8, we review the 3 Rein Never Tame Red Blend. A blend of undisclosed grapes from Columbia Valley, Washington State. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Aldi, Red Blends, Washington

    Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres - Deliciously Dark and Chewy

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 23, 2023 Last Updated: July 9, 2023

    Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres - Deliciously Dark and Chewy

    A splurgeworthy find from an estate dating back to 1150, the Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres. A GSM blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre from a single block of 50+ year-old vines in Vinsobres in the southern Rhone Valley of France. The wine is aged in cement … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: France, France - Rhone, GSM, Red Blends, Saturday Splurge, Thanksgiving

    B by Fonbadet Bordeaux - What A Find!

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 21, 2023 Last Updated: August 8, 2023

    B by Fonbadet Bordeaux - What A Find

    Trader Joe's slashes the price on an expensive, high scoring Bordeaux. We review the B by Fonbadet Bordeaux. OK, we're not quite sure how Trader Joe's managed this one. Unlike a lot of the wines they stock, there have been a few big-name sellers of this wine. Wine Access … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Bulk Buy, France, Red Blends, Trader Joe's, Wedding Wine

    INSIDER DEAL! Save 63% On This Highly Recommended Reserva

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 20, 2023 Last Updated: March 22, 2023

    INSIDER DEAL! Save 63% On This Highly Recommended Reserva

    THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER IS NOW EXPIRED! Sign up below to make sure you get the next one. Learn more about our winery direct INSIDER DEALS here. The baby brother to the Gran Reserva is here and it's just as delicious - and costs even less! Get the Calyptra Vivendo Reserve … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Chile, Deals, Highly Recommended, Insider Deals, Red Blends

    Elettra Red Blend from Aldi - Smooth and Sweet

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: March 15, 2023 Last Updated: May 11, 2023

    Elettra Red Blend from Aldi - Smooth and Sweet

    Another sweet and tasty Italian red blend from Aldi, we review the Elettra Red Blend. A blend of Primitivo and Negroamaro from Puglia, Italy. … [Read more...]

    Filed Under: Aldi, Italy, Pizza Wine, Red Blends

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