Looking for some of the best red wines that taste like a thousand bucks? A good bottle of wine is not only a delight for the taste buds, but it also has the power to transport you to a happy place. And when this magic solution comes in an attractive and affordable price range, the pleasure is altogether different. However, with so many bottles to choose from, how do you pick the best one? Here’s where we can help you. Take a look at this curated list of the best red wines under $100 worth investing in.
Best Red Wines Under $100
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(4.8 / 5) Best Overall
- Name — Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Caymus Vineyards
- Country/Region — United States, Napa Valley, California
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Vanilla, Oak, Dark Cherry
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Chocolate, Black Fruit, Leather, Earth, Cocoa
- Alcohol Content — 14.4%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Angus Steak, Spicy Food, Burgers, Duck, Lamb
Caymus History
Caymus is a winery that has been in the wine business for years, producing wines that are among the top 1% in the world. Founded in 1972 by Charlie Wagner, Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley has produced Cabernet Sauvignon wines every year since its inception. Caymus’s main focus has always been Cabernet Sauvignon and the grapes grown in its 60-plus acres of vineyard estate have consistently been of top quality. One of Napa Valley’s most renowned wines, Caymus Cabernet gets picked up by Cab. enthusiasts and collectors as soon as it’s out in the market.
Tasting Notes
If you’re in search of a dark bold red wine, look no further. This vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from Caymus is so deep, it almost looks like chocolate in a bottle. This red wine is bold, full-bodied with rich oaky flavors but you can still get the distinct taste of red cherries and blueberries. Fruit forward, chocolaty, and luxurious, this can be your perfect red wine for dinner parties, family events, or celebrations.
This one makes the list of top-rated red wines under $100 because of its deep red appearance, spicy aroma, fruity and vanilla flavors, bold and balanced tannins, and the smooth, velvety finish. It pairs greatly with red meat, hard cheese, game, lamb, and poultry. Lauded by critics and fans alike, this vintage wine is rich and delicious and is waiting for you to enjoy.
Best Value
- Name — Stag’s Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, Napa Valley, California
- Type — Californian Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Dark Cherry, Cedar, Spice
- Grapes — 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
- Taste — Plum, Dried Fruits, Dark Chocolate, Toasted Oak
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Steak Salad, Eggplant Parmesan, Indian Food, Steaks of All Kind
Tasting Notes
TEMIS Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant red wine from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars that is full-bodied, great on the nose, and offers amazing flavors. Elegant and refined, it has a deep ruby red appearance that looks translucent as you swirl the liquid in your glass. This wonderful dry wine has tasting notes of berries, vanilla, and chocolate and produces a leathery smooth mouthfeel. It’s great on the nose with gentle oaky notes balanced with red fruit and cherry.
With its bold, velvety long finish, it can be a perfect choice for special occasions or a quiet dinner. It pairs well with red meat, fish, and spaghetti but is also perfect to be enjoyed on its own. Rated among the top 1% of all wines in the world in the 2018 Vintage, this red wine is not only a good choice for immediate consumption but it also ages beautifully. This is definitely one of the top red wines under $100. I’d suggest drinking one bottle and buying 5 more for the cellar!
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars History
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was founded in 1970 after the purchase of its vineyards, the winery was later built in 1972. When it won the famed 1976 Paris Tasting, also recognized as the “Judgment of Paris,” it brought international repute to California wine-making. The winery follows sustainable farming practices to ensure the wines’ delicate balance of taste, aroma, complexity, and texture. These estate vineyards are scenic and sprawl roughly across 38 acres. The soils in the vineyards are largely volcanic and alluvial with multilayered concentration, structure, and intensity. This along with the warm afternoons and cool evening breezes help produce well-ripened grapes with medium acidity.
Best Sweet
- Name — Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine
- Winery — Inniskillin
- Country/Region — Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula
- Type — Canadian Ice Wine
- Aroma — Cinnamon Spice, Strawberry Jam, Coffee Gelato, Blackberry Pie, Toffee
- Grapes — Cabernet Franc
- Taste — Rhubarb, Strawberry, Plum, Cherry, Honey
- Alcohol Content — 9%
- Sugar — Sweet
- Pairing — Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, Rhubarb Pie, Fresh Berries
Winery History
There’s nothing more quintessentially Canadian, than this delicious indulgence borne of patience, combined with subzero brilliance. Since 1984, Inniskillin winery has been crafting world-famous ice wines from grapes across hand-picked vineyards throughout the Niagara Peninsula. The winery is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the notable Brae Burn Estate.
The wine-making process involves manually harvesting the ripe grapes and then cold-pressing and marinating them for seven days. There’s no skin contact during fermentation and the color comes only from pressing. If they’re harvested early, the color gets dark and the flavors go deep. After approximately 21 days of alcoholic fermentation, the wine is filtered and shifted to a stainless-steel tank before bottling. This Cabernet Franc ice wine from the iconic Canadian winery is one of the best dessert wines on the market today. Refreshing, rich, and complex, if you have a sweet palate, this one’s for you.
Tasting Notes
It opens with the classic Canadian ice wine aromas of strawberries and raspberries though the bouquet swings more towards concentrated red fruits. Bursting with layers of stewed plum, rhubarb, and brandied cherry, it has well-balanced acidity. It also has the tasting notes of the sweetest red strawberries, with well-structured and concentrated tannins, that are the trademark of the finest Canadian ice wines. It has a stunning burnt-orange hue and a full-bodied palate. Luscious and velvety in texture, it also has hints of fresh vanilla ice cream that carry over to the long, fruit-fueled clean finish. It pairs well with strawberries, chocolate mousse, soft cheese, and blueberry pudding.
Best From France
- Name — Château Lagrange Saint-Julien (Grand Cru Classé)
- Winery — Château Lagrange
- Country/Region — France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien
- Type — Bordeaux Saint-Julien
- Aroma — Cherry, Blackcurrant, Blueberry, Bay Leaf, Oak
- Grapes — Merlot
- Taste — Blackberry, Sweet Plum, Ripe Cherries, Spice, Mocha
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Grilled Lamb, Grilled Lobster, Tuna Steak, Crispy Duck
Château Lagrange Winery
Château Lagrange is an excellent French winery with a reputation for producing some of the highest quality red wines. Their Saint-Julien wine style provides balanced and lasting combinations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, with deep ruby colors combined with the high notes of cedar and cassis.
With a history dating back to 1855, Château Lagrange winery has diligently followed its philosophy of excellence without compromise for years. The exceptional terroir combined with a precision and innovation-based approach has resulted in the creation of a powerful, elegant, and unique wine with amazing aging potential. After sorting, the grapes are crushed in stainless steel vats and aged in their cellars using traditional French oak barrels. This helps preserve the freshness and flavors of the taste and aromas.
Tasting Notes
This is a medium-bodied red wine that is full of the lavish aromas of cherries, blackberries, mushrooms, and oak. Upon opening, the deep, dark, alluring ruby color, the warm aromas of oak, hints of cedar, and succulent smokiness is bound to dazzle you. The wine is velvety and creamy with concentrated flavors of dark fruit, ripe plum, and delicious mature oak. It has a smooth taste with an elegant finish consisting of wonderfully integrated tannins that are noticeable yet soft.
Though it can be enjoyed on its own, due to the wine’s richness, it pairs better with foods like duck, pork, game, and roast chicken. You can also pair it with Asian dishes, fish, or mushroom pasta. This is a balanced wine that is certain to mature beautifully over the years.
Best From Italy
- Name — Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni
- Winery — Farnese
- Country/Region — Italy, Abruzzo
- Type — Central Italy Red
- Aroma — Blueberries, Blackberries, Spices, Fruity, Cinnamon, Cocoa
- Grapes — Negroamaro, Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, Primitivo
- Taste — Vanilla, Chocolate, Cherry, Plum, Licorice, Herbal Notes
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Dry Aged Beef, Tomato-Based Pasta, Lasagna, Roasted Goose
Farnese Winery History
If you’ve never tasted an Italian wine before, this red wine from Farnese winery is likely going to be the most powerful one you’ll ever encounter. Farnese is a small winery that was established a few years ago but has grown into a big name today in the Italian wine industry.
Abruzzo, located in southern Italy close to the Adriatic Sea, is steeped in bio-diversity and quality of the soil. The richness of its vineyards’ exotic terroir is perfect for cultivating their high-quality wines. After the harvest, the grapes are soaked in barrels and then soft-fermented for 25 days. After this, malolactic fermentation takes place in French and American oak barrels for about 13 months. The result is an intense garnet red appearance along with purples hues that are alluring and delightful.
Tasting Notes
With a balanced blend of Negroamaro, Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, Montepulciano, and Primitivo grapes, this spectacular wine fittingly comes in a massive heavy black bottle. It is a medium to full-bodied wine that is a delight on the palate with notes of cherry, plum, licorice, herbs, and velvety tannins. There are also hints of vanilla and chocolate. Structured and elegant, it comes in a creamy texture with a long and smooth velvety finish.
The aroma of Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni, with its intense fruity notes of blueberries and blackberries tinged with hints of cinnamon and cocoa, will remind you of a fancy restaurant. This wine is self-sufficient and can be had independently but pairs well with beef, lamb, meat, aged cheese, and pasta dishes.
Best From Spain
- Name — Benjamin de Rothschild – Vega Sicilia Macán
- Winery — Benjamin de Rothschild
- Country/Region — Spain, Rioja
- Type — Spanish Rioja
- Aroma — Oak, Vanilla, Blackberry, Mint, Mocha, Chocolate
- Grapes — Tempranillo
- Taste — Black Fruits, Chocolate, Oak, Licorice, Coffee
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Duck Confit, Rib Eye Steak, Spaghetti Amatriciana, Rabo De Toro
Winery History
Benjamin de Rothschild – Vega Sicilia winery was founded around a decade ago in the heart of La Rioja. What began as a small project consisting of a close-knit group of farmers, has now quietly grown into a sizable land of 120 hectares, all inside the San Vicente village of the Rioja Alta. The soil near the foothills of Sierra Cantabria is perfectly suited to the growth of these grapes. The warm sunlight coupled with a cool breeze creates small berries with fresh acidity.
After a meticulous selection process, the grapes are harvested and set aside for alcoholic fermentation for around 10 to 15 days. After this, about thirty percent of the malolactic fermentation process takes place in French oak barrels. The other seventy percent happens in tanks. The malolactic process continues for 15 to 19 months. After this, the wine stays in the bottle for around three years before being released to the market.
Tasting Notes
This red wine is aromatic and vibrant and made using the Tempranillo grape variety. Dense and dark red in appearance, its aroma is earthy with cedar notes and fruity with hints of mint and spice. The tasting notes consist of mocha, black fruits, licorice, char, oak, and chocolate. The tannins are well integrated into a balanced medium-high acidity. The finish is long, smooth, and refreshing.
Best From California
- Name — Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Joseph Phelps
- Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
- Type — Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Caramel, Vanilla, Tobacco, Blueberry, Chocolate, Mocha
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Plum, Blackberry, Vanilla, Cassis, Cedar
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Bison Filet, Pot Roast, Hearty Pasta, Chocolate Cake
Joseph Phelps Winery History
Among the top 1% of all wines in the world, according to 2017 Vintage, this might well be the best bottle of red wine under $100. Joseph Phelps is a family-owned winery situated in Napa Valley. Phelps Vineyards are renowned for producing world-class wines that are estate-grown and crafted with great care and precision. It all began in 1973 when Joe Phelps acquired a cattle ranch near St. Helena in the Napa Valley, this forty-year-old winery now has nearly 375 acres of vineyards spread out across the state of California.
The vineyard is blessed with warm sunshine and is cooled by fresh breezes at night, enabling the grapes to mature to precision. The winemakers at Joseph Phelps Vineyards practice natural, organic, and sustainable farming along with bio-dynamic farming. After fermentation, the wines are aged in French oak barrels for up to 24 months, helping to develop the wine’s complex structure. The result is a deep red ruby wine that’s slightly translucent, with touches of purple reflection.
Tasting Notes
As you swirl your glass, aromas of black cherry, cassis, sage, and woody cedar come in gentle waves. The palate is spiced up by dark fruits, wonderfully balanced tannins, and a woody and inky texture. This medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon has a long and elegant finish and is built to age well. It pairs well with classic meat dishes, hamburgers, roast chicken, or barbecue. It also tastes great with sautéed onions, hash brown, or even chocolate cake.
Best From Australia
- Name — Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet – Shiraz
- Winery — Penfolds
- Country/Region — Australia, South Australia
- Type — Australian Cabernet – Shiraz
- Aroma — Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Violets, Cedar, Oak
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
- Taste — Dark Berries, Rich Plums, Blackcurrant, Coconut, Chocolate
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, BBQ, Roasted Elk, Roasted Lamb
Winery History
Australian wines rarely disappoint, and this full-bodied red wine from Penfolds is no exception. Consisting of a blend of 43% Shiraz and 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is one of the good red wines under $100. It perfectly combines the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz. With the right balance of oak and fruits, Bin 389 emphasizes the lavish mid-palate that Penfolds is known for.
Penfolds is one of Australia’s most successful and famed winemakers – it has been run by generations of futurists and trendsetters. Founded in 1844, the winery produces vintage classic wines that are a class apart. Their wine-making philosophy is unique and precise, consisting of a perfect blend of science, art, and innovation. Their wines are sourced from several vineyards, sub-region, single region, and multi-region with multi-varietal blending. Finally, they are combined to create top-class, house-style wines that are powerful, original, and of true consistency.
Tasting Notes
Gentle cedar and herbal notes sit atop rich red-plum and dark-berry Shiraz fruit aromas. The palate contains a silky texture that’s plush and polished. The tasting notes also have well-integrated tannins and a wealth of intense and rich dark plums, berries, and blackcurrant flavors. Bright, crimson red in color, this classic Aussie blend of Cabernet and Shiraz is built for the long haul.
Best From Chile
- Name — Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon
- Winery — Concha y Toro
- Country/Region — Puente Alto, Chile
- Type — Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Leather, Earth, Smoke, Blackberry, Coffee
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Black Fruits, Oak, Tobacco, Chocolate
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Anything Steak, Duck, Truffle Linguine
Tasting Notes
If you’ve never tasted Chilean wine before, this full-bodied red wine from Don Melchor will be your perfect initiation. It is spicy, earthy, and oaky on the nose and tinged with hints of black-fruit aromas. The tasting notes consist of ripe fruits, cocoa flavors, well-concentrated berries, with hints of clove and toasty spices.
This classic Cabernet from Puente Alto is bold and perfectly balanced with ultra-polished tannins. Delicious and deep ruby with a lush and long dry finish, it has the potential to age well. You can pair this full-bodied wine with salmon carpaccio, fried beef, or baked mushroom. It also goes well with lamb, game, or poultry.
Don Melchor Winery
Don Melchor winery’s success journey started in 1883 from a small clump of vines planted at the foot of the Andes in the Maipo Valley. During those times, good-quality Chilean wines were in their infancy. Thirty years later, Don Melchor has emerged as a solid winery with its unique identity and strong position. Their wine-making philosophy has been a raging success due to three fundamental reasons — the unparalleled terroir, the impeccable viticulture heritage, and a deep understanding and mastery of the wine-making process that has passed from generation to generation.
Best From South Africa
- Name — Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek
- Winery — Boekenhoutskloof
- Country/Region — Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Type — South African Cabernet Sauvignon
- Aroma — Red Fruit, Nutmeg, Rose, Violet, Bergamot, Cassis
- Grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon
- Taste — Dark Berries, Red Fruits, Chocolate, Oak, Tobacco, Hints of Smoke
- Alcohol Content — 14.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Wagyu Steak, Beef Casserole, Veal Chops, Mushrooms
Boekenhoutskloof Winery History
This South African red wine is sourced from single-variety Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are grown in the Boekenhoutskloof winery. Situated in the Franschhoek region of South Africa, the vineyard predominantly has sandy soils located on granite bedrock. It’s perfect for producing grapes that mature well. The grapes are grown in four different plots that are situated side by side, to yield a more delicate and refined wine.
After a meticulous selection process, the grapes are harvested in bunches and deposited in small boxes. Once in the winery, the grapes are de-stemmed and cold marinated in old concrete containers. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes a prolonged malolactic fermentation. Thereafter, it is aged in wood for 18 months in French oak barrels. Not only did this feature in Vivino’s 2020 South African Wine Style Awards, but it’s also among the top 1% of all wines in the world according to 2008 Vintage. Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon is exceptionally full-bodied with an abundance of aromas, balance, and length.
Tasting Notes
Fruit-forward and concentrated, it has aromas of dried herbs, blueberries, blackberries, and slight nuances of cigar and tobacco spices. Full of well-rounded tannins, blackcurrants, cedar, and dark chocolate, this is soft and smooth on the palate with a deliciously long finish. You can also get hints of pepper, red fruits, and oak. This elegant wine is deep ruby and translucent, with a perfect balance between fruitiness, acidity, and a light mouthfeel. This could be a great choice for a steak night with friends or even as a quiet companion on a solitary evening.
Conclusion
That was our round-up of the red wines under $100 in the market today. From long-bodied red wines to velvety-sweet ice wines, you have quite a list of options to choose from. Most of these wines age well, which makes them great additions to your cellars. Though this is not a comprehensive list, it is, nevertheless, a good starting point. It’s not difficult to find red wines in stores. But if you wish to buy from online distributors, Vivino can be a great choice as they have a wide variety and stock of delicious red wines.
