Ten Delicious Red Wines $20 or below Ready for the Thanksgiving Table
Thanksgiving in America is a great time for family and friends. While I have made lists of my best red wines with a turkey and all the trimmings, I needed to create another list of the most affordable wines to help ease the budget crunch. Here is a list of ten delicious red wines $20 or below ready for this primetime occasion (alphabetical order)
The Faustino V Reserva Tempranillo Rioja 2015 could be perfect for the Thanksgiving dinner!
· Anthony & Dominic Merlot, North Coast 2018 One of my recent discoveries, Antony & Dominic wines are straightforward and delicious; ripe blackberries, nicely textured palate; light tannins, and easy red wine to drink. (My Rating: 90 Points) Suggested Retail: $20
· Casa Reivas Sao Miguel do Sul, Vinho Regional Alentejano 2020 An authentic red wine meant to pair with food; hints of Old World spices, a lively palate; mineral notes, red and black fruits, frisky finish. (My Rating: 87 Points) Suggested Retail: $12
· Château Haut-Colombier Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux “Made with Organic Grapes” 2021 Strictly Old World with excellent rustic, this wine will allow the turkey to melt in our mouth. Fresh fruit, lively palate; some dried spices, soft aftertaste. (My Rating: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
· Faustino V Reserva Tempranillo, Rioja 2015 Faustino is one of Rioja’s top producers and is readily available. This wine is rich in color and with notes of spice, ripe fruit, and tart berries. Its soft and smooth palate makes it an easy-drinking wine. (My Score: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
· Four Vines The Kinker Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2020 The Four Vines wines always seem to deliver, and this one does that. Black fruits, savory spices, hints of oak, nice tang on the palate. (My Rating: 89 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
· Firesteed Pinot Noir, Oregon 2021 I have always enjoyed the balance of this wine; this vintage seems to be one of their best to date. Delicate and redolent of vibrant red fruit, this lively wine is a foodie’s delight. Its elegance will make the turkey succulent on the palate. (My Score: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $18
· Earl Stevens Selections Pinot Noir, California Platinum-selling recording artist and actor from Vallejo California not only brings excellent music to the stage, and most recently he also brings delicious wines into the marketplace. This wine is quite deep and delectable. Ripe fruit, hints of earthiness; satisfying and layered on the palate. (My Score: 89 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $15
· Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2020 Oyster Bay produces some of New Zealand’s top food-friendly wines. This wine deftly combines elements from the Old and New Worlds. Dried leaves, red fruit, and a tangy finish; should do an excellent job of balancing out the richness of the turkey and its fixings. (My Score: 89 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
· Laroque Cabernet Franc, Cité de Carcassonne 2020 If you ever had the chance to visit Carcassonne, France, you would realize how food-friendly the wines from this region are. This wine is firm, yet not hard; loaded with black fruit and savory spices; an easy-drinking red wine. (My Score: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
· J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2020 This wine has been a consistent performer over the years. This vintage is rich, yet smooth and layered on the palate. Ripe fruit, oaky notes, and a smooth finish make an excellent wine at a large gathering. (My Score: 89 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $20
Thanksgiving Dinner is a big deal for many, and the budget can take a major hit. While wine professionals often tout Pinot Noir to be the quintessential red wine choice for this occasion, the best of those wines can be expensive. Another way of supplying the wines for Thanksgiving is to select other grape varieties for $20 or under. In this space, one can find Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Alentejanos, etc., as well as a few “values” Pinot Noirs. Sometimes spending less $$$s yields wines that are plenty satisfying. Happy Thanksgiving!
