TOP 100 BEST BUYS 2020
Despite a world of constant uncertainty—a global pandemic, social unrest, increased tariffs and wildfires—the wine-drinking public nonetheless continues to make it a priority to have bottles on their tables. That said, while wine consumption is up, it’s clear that consumers are still watching what they spend per bottle.
Thankfully, Wine Enthusiast is here to help make sure your valued dollars go far. Each year, we assemble our Top 100 Best Buys list to help guide you to some of the highest-quality value wines on the market today. For 2020’s edition, we combed through more than 1,500 wines that earned our coveted Best Buy designation, wines that are $15 or less and fall within a specific price-to-score ratio.
While tariffs may have increased the prices on some bottlings from France, Germany and Spain, value can still be found in those regions. In fact, our number one wine is a Rioja red from an excellent vintage that’s widely available in stores for around $11.
This year’s list showcases selections from 16 countries and is rife with some of the world’s most popular grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. It also highlights plenty of varieties that are ripe for your discovery, like Bonarda from Argentina, Lemberger from Washington and Grüner Veltliner from Austria, along with a whole host of delicious blends.
Red, white, sparkling, rosé and even dessert wines are all well represented, and with an average price just over $13, this list is the ultimate guide to value pours to enjoy now.
1
90 Montecillo 2016 Crianza Tempranillo (Rioja). Fresh berry and red plum aromas are lifted by complementary notes of oak grain and vanilla. This value-priced crianza from a very good year feels flush but primed by punchy acidity. Red plum, berry and a hint of wood spice make for a classic Rioja flavor profile, while this remains tasty and fresh on the finish. Evaton, Inc. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $11
2
90 Dark Horse 2019 Pinot Grigio (California). Nicely concentrated, crisp fruit flavors give this medium-bodied wine a lot to like. Tangy white-peach and Pippin apple notes are lightly accented by lemon, adding to the vibrant mouthfeel. —J.G.
abv: 13% Price: $8
3
90 Louis Jadot 2018 Beaujolais. The Beaune négociant house has produced a ripe and structured wine. It offers plenty of black cherry flavors from the ripe Gamay as well as lifted acidity and a touch of tannins. Enjoy now. Kobrand. —R.V.
abv: 13% Price: $14
4
92 Passionate Wine 2019 Del Mono Malbec-Syrah (Tupungato). Plum and berry aromas are intense, which is fair given that this is a young blend of Malbec and Syrah. A tight, juicy palate is fueled by bold acidity, while this tastes of red berry fruits, plum, currant and spice. Overall this is tasty and legit, with muscle. Drink through 2025. Brazos Wine Imports. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $12
5
91 Inama 2018 Vin Soave (Soave Classico). Crisp and savory, this refreshing white has lovely aromas of white stone fruit and wild flowers. Showing classic varietal flavors, the tangy palate doles out ripe pear, apple and citrus before a white-almond finish. Dalla Terra Winery Direct. —K.O.
abv: 12% Price: $15
6
There’s a vibrant sense of crisp Asian pear, citrus blossom and mint on the nose of this attractively priced bottling. The palate is tightly wound in flavors of melon rind, lime pith, pear
