Best Red Wines 2023
Browse a list of American wineries that have consistently produced outstanding red wines in recent years. Here is a list of some of the best red wines from the United States, specifically from the 2023 releases. As mentioned earlier, wine preferences are subjective, and the quality of a wine can depend on factors like personal taste, vintage, and the condition of the bottle. Additionally, consider looking for more recent vintages from these producers, as they should also be of high quality. The following American red wines were highly regarded this year.
Top 50 Red Wine Brands
Here’s a list of some highly-rated American red wines.
Highly-Rated Red Wines
Here is a list of some of the most popular and highly-rated red wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon – One of the world’s most widely recognized red wines, known for its full body and notes of cassis, black cherry, tobacco, and chocolate. Popular varieties come from Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and Coonawarra.
- Pinot Noir – Elegant and complex, with flavors of cherry, raspberry, and earth. The top regions for Pinot Noir include Burgundy, Willamette Valley, Central Otago, and Sonoma.
- Merlot – Smooth and fruity red with plum, blackberry, and mocha flavors. Leading areas are Bordeaux, Napa, Sonoma, and Washington State.
- Malbec – Bold red from Argentina with jammy fruit notes and spices. High-quality Malbec hails from Mendoza.
- Zinfandel – Juicy, jammy red often with blackberry and peppery spice notes. Known as California’s heritage grape, with prime growing areas including Sonoma and Paso Robles.
- Sangiovese – Italy’s most planted grape and the basis of Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Morellino di Scansano. Cherry, herbs, and earth on the palate.
- Syrah/Shiraz – Inky, full-bodied red with blackberry, white pepper, and smoked meat flavors. Great Syrah comes from the Rhône Valley, Barossa Valley, and Washington State.
- Tempranillo – Dry, savory red and the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero in Spain. Shows notes of leather and tobacco.
- Nebbiolo – The grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco in Italy. High acid and tannins with red fruit and floral aromas.
- Grenache – Key blending grape in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre) blends. Red fruit flavors and soft tannins.
The popularity of these wines is driven by their provenance, flavor profiles, and suitability for food pairings. Their uniqueness and quality make them perennial favorites among red wine drinkers.