An Unparalleled Meal with the King of Steaks
Prime rib is a cut of beef from the 6th to the 12th rib. The term “prime rib” indicates the quality of the meat, with “prime” being the highest grade of beef that you can find in the US. While multiple cuts come from the same rib area, not all are the same quality. Prime rib meat is juicy, flavorful, and marbled with fat.
Prime rib should be seared and roasted slowly on low heat. It is cooked medium rare or rare to ensure the fat doesn’t all melt out and lose the flavor. The perfect temperature to cook it is between 145-154 degrees Fahrenheit (63-67 degrees Celsius). The result? A tender prime rib with just the right amount of fat and mouth-watering juices.
(4.6 / 5) 
(4.7 / 5) What Wines Pair Well With Prime Rib?
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more perfect combination than prime rib and a bottle of full-bodied red wine. This is a dish where the meat is the highlight, so you want to pair it with a wine that complements and elevates the beef without overpowering it. Typically, a bold red is your safest bet as it enhances the smokiness of Prime rib while also cutting through the fat. Note that we’ve excluded the best white wine with prime rib since white wines have more fresh, citrusy flavors that go better with white meats, fish, or fruity desserts.
To find the best red wine to pair with prime rib, there are many factors you need to consider, such as the alcohol content, flavors, tannins, acidity, and finish. In the case of prime rib, a glass of structured red wine with some acidity and medium-to-high tannin content would be best.
A well-balanced Zinfandel, a dry Syrah, or a bold Malbec are all excellent examples of the best red wine with prime rib. In this article, we’ve narrowed down some of the best wines made from top-quality grape varieties around the world for you to enjoy with a delicious cut of prime rib.
Best Red Wines With Prime Rib
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva
- Winery — Marqués de Riscal
- Country/Region — Spain, Rioja
- Type — Spanish Rioja
- Aroma — Prune, Plum, Leather, Cinnamon Spice, Black Pepper, Licorice, Sweet Tobacco
- Grapes — Tempranillo
- Taste — Blackberry, Fig, Cherry, Vanilla Spice, Brown Sugar, Redcurrant, Balsamic Vinegar
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, Chili, Grilled Beefsteak, Lasagna, Tomato-based Sauces, Tacos
Tasting Notes
Made from Tempranillo grapes from the Rioja Alavesa region, the Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva is an iconic wine. This complex Spanish blend is made by aging the grapes in American oak barrels for at least 2 years, followed by one year in bottles, to develop a truly layered and complex wine.
It is a strong full-bodied wine that is dry and acidic. On the nose, you get notes of oak, dark plum, black and red fruit as well as lighter hints of tobacco, vanilla, and spices. It’s a concentrated, rich wine with bold flavors. The palate
Luigi Bosca De Sangre Lujan de Cuyo Malbec
- Winery — Luigi Bosca
- Country/Region — Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
- Type — Argentinian Malbec
- Aroma — Licorice, Candied Plum, Cherries, Oak, Earthy
- Grapes — Malbec
- Taste — Black Fruit, Red Fruit, Chocolate, Coffee, Licorice
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, Argentinian Empanadas, Meatballs, Chocolate Dessert
Tasting Notes
The Luigi Bosca De Sangre Lujan de Cuyo Malbec is a deep red, violet wine made by Luigi Bosca winery using 100% Malbec grapes. It is a dark, intense, and tannic wine that pairs beautifully with all steak types, but especially with Prime rib. It is a structured wine with a full-bodied, acidic middle, tannic finish, and a bitter aftertaste.
The nose is fruity with aromas of ripe plum, cherries, licorice, oak, and tobacco. You also detect earthy notes with hints of chocolate and black and red fruit. The palate is juicy, elegant, and smoky with fresh tannins and a smooth mouth feel. Overall, this is the next best prime rib wine pairing after the Rioja.
Borsao Bodegas Zarihs Syrah
- Name — Borsao Bodegas Zarihs Syrah
- Winery — Borsao Bodegas
- Country/Region — Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
- Type — Spanish Syrah
- Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate, Coffee, Fig, Vanilla
- Grapes — Syrah
- Taste — Blackberry, Grapes, Redcurrant, Plum, Prune, Cinnamon Spice, Pepper, Ginger
- Alcohol Content — 15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, Duck Breast, Filet Mignon, Falafel, Pastrami Sandwich
Tasting Notes
Made from the Syrah/Shiraz grape varieties that make a dark, tannic wine that even a Cabernet can’t match, the Zarihs Syrah by Borsao Bodegas winery is an award-winning wine that has garnered international acclaim. It is the product of the collaboration between local winemaker José Luis Chueca and Australian winemaker Chris Ringland. With an intense cherry red color in the glass, this is a remarkably complex and elegant wine.
It is dry and tannic with mild acidity and has smoky undertones. The wine has intense aromas of blackberry, balsamic, and vanilla with hints of spices. The palate is juicy and offers a chewy, full-bodied flavor with dark fruits, chocolate, prune, notes of pepper, tobacco, berries, and smokiness.
Masca del Tacco Old Vines Zinfandel
- Name — Masca del Tacco Old Vines Zinfandel
- Winery — Masca del Tacco
- Country/Region — Italy, Puglia
- Type — Southern Italy Primitivo
- Aroma — Raspberry, Strawberry, Redcurrant, Tobacco, Charred Wood, Vanilla Spice
- Grapes — Zinfandel
- Taste — Plum, Cherry, Balsamic Vinegar, Coffee, Prune, Fig, Almond
- Alcohol Content — 14%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, Grilled Chicken Thighs, Curried Pork And Squash, Deep-fried Lamb Ribs
Tasting Notes
A classic Zinfandel known for its rich fruity flavors, medium tannins, and high alcohol content, this Italian Zinfandel from Masca del Tacco produced in the Apulia vineyards has won numerous awards. A true artisan wine, the Old Vines Zinfandel is made by soft-pressing the grapes and then fermenting them in steel tanks under controlled temperature.
It is a medium to full-bodied, dry red wine with low, balanced acidity and velvety tannins. It’s an intense, ruby red wine that has layers of plum, blackberries, chocolate, red flowers, and mint aromas. There are also hints of coffee and licorice that only add to its striking qualities. It is full-bodied and creamy with a long finish that gives off hints of red fruits like sweet cherries and plums. The flavors are in perfect harmony for those who like their wine to be balanced and a little fruity.
Domaine du Père Caboche Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Winery — Domaine du Père Caboche
- Country/Region — France, Rhone Valley, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Type — Southern Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Aroma — Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Plum, Oak, Nuts
- Grapes — Grenache
- Taste — Blueberry, Blackberry, Vanilla, Cherry, Raspberry
- Alcohol Content — 15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Prime Rib, Coq Au Vin, Steak, Pork Chops, Oxtail Soup. Roasted Grouse
Tasting Notes
This Southern Rhône Châteauneuf-du-Pape style red wine is a fine blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The grapes are sourced from vineyards covered in large pebbles that help heat up the grapes at night, thus creating a unique flavor of a sweet and savory red. The unique pebble practice is also the reason why the wine has such a high alcohol content.
It’s a bright, deep ruby red wine that is full-bodied and intense. It is sweet on the nose with hints of candied fruits, soft licorice, red fruits, berries, and herbs. It’s a very fruit-forward wine that’s dry and bold with mild acidity and tannins. The tannins on this wine are subtle enough to serve with prime rib. This is a wine you can trust to pair perfectly with beef, lamb, poultry, and even some game. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape promises you a fresh and balanced palate with a lingering finish. This is a prime rib wine match made for the gods!
Conclusion
Finding the perfect wine can help turn a simple meal into an event. And when it’s a meal like prime rib, you want a wine that will truly elevate your meal. Grenache-based wines or Syrah are known to be perfect for prime rib. Look for a wine with some tannins and oakiness to bring out the char on the rib.
You want your wine to have some hints of spice, some fruitiness, and acidity to complement your meal of prime rib. We hope this list of wines will help you find the perfect red to pair with your prime rib and make your day extra special! Place an order for your favorite red wine and set up the dinner table!
