Is there a red wine under $30 that is exceptional?

[SUP8333]

8 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Speaking about non vintage wines, have you tried Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red?  Less than the $30 criteria of this thread, but I think the greatest value in California red wine.

I've tried this! It is good but abit too spicy for my liking. I'm sure it will pair nicely with heavier meals.

[Bohemio]

7 hours ago, SUP8333 said:

This is a $80 bottle where I live. 😅

😮 Lucky me I guess, it's $31.99 at my local total wine.

[BrightonCorgi]

7 hours ago, Bohemio said:

😮 Lucky me I guess, it's $31.99 at my local total wine.

$40 appears to be the cheapest in the US according to Wine-Searcher Results for Stags Leap Cab 750 ml

[garifo]

I wouldn’t call myself a wine expert, but I really enjoy this Argentinian wine—La Consulta Malbec by Catena. The 2019 bottles I purchased were exceptionally good. I recently picked up the 2022, and they were just as enjoyable. I can always find them for under $20 a bottle!

[Coloniales]

So many great South African wines sub $30 usd. I have spent a reasonable amount of time in the Cape this winter, and just stunned by the wines and their great price. High Constantia Sebastian 2009, from the vineyard for $31 a beautiful Biordeaux Blend, dominated by Cabernet Franc. Fab.

[vinnyvega]

This a home run. Maybe exceeds exceptional for $20-$23.

[Jack]

When I was hosting bohemians years ago, I used to play "roulette à vin" on the major wine auction sites. Since they would drink anything short of paint thinner,  I could pick inexpensive bottles with some age and choosing those with no rating at all - never having been properly reviewed enhanced the chance of success at auction. Shipping charge was the most costly but US$10-20 plus I'm in California so shipping was $75-100 per case.

Go to your favorite site, click on "reds", "sort by price, "lowest to highest" and place the starting bid on anything 15+ years old - no matter where it was created.

Even today there are some I surely would have bid on:

1993 Elyse Coeur du Val Zinfandel US$15 opening bid

1998 Clos du Bois Marlstone US$15 opening bid

This is how I discovered some very nice, even excellent wines.  Forty-five dollars, so out of the price range, but my best buy yet was:

 

 

1972 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zinfandel US$45

 

Managed to save one from the pillaging hoard for better days.

 

 

[Blazer]

Wine Searcher says the average price for the latest release of this gem is $29.98!

 

[Kidfrombrooklyn]

As a sommelier for almost 15 years working exclusively in 3 Michelin star restaurants that had a grand award winning wine list from wine spectator, I will say it really is personal preference. I can recommend sub $30 Cotes du Rhone that are phenomenal, but if that ain't your jam, obviously they won’t be memorable. Its always best to take into consideration the preferences of the person you’re making a recommendation to. With that said, here is a few recommendations for different types of wine. 

Light red- I would go with Beaujolais. Grape variety is Gamay. Fruitier younger brother to pinot noir. They tend to be more consistent than PN in terms of structure, acidity and flavor.

Wine rec: Jean foillard, Morgon. Morgon is one of the 10 crus in Beaujolais and known for being a more serious, fuller bodied gamay. 

Medium body- so many great regions to reach for in this category. You can go northern Rhone, you can go Tuscany, a region in the northern Rhone that is one of my favorites is Crozes Hermitage. The region makes some phenomenal wines, structured, complex a bit of red fruit flavors with an elegant baking spice backbone. 

wine rec: Alain Graillot, Crozes Hermitage

Full body- not my favorite category but very popular with the average consumer. You can go Cali Zin, or something like Ruche from Piedmont Italy.

wine rec- Crivelli, Ruche

Most of these wines can we found on Winebid, which is like a Bond Roberts for wine. 

Happy smoking and happy drinking 🙏🏼

[sageman]

I used to own a restaurant and am a CSW. At the restaurant we carried Bonanza. It’s for sure palate coating, big fruit and body. You won’t get the structure but ‘most’ wine drinkers lean this way so I’d second @Pantone151. I think the wines that come from Cameron Hughes at de Negoce are a great value. You are picking varietal and region but I’ve had some great bottles for under 30 especially if you’re willing to sit on them. Your other best bet is to get a retail license or find a buddy who has one as at least in the US, that really opens up your buying power!

[loose_axle]

Call me mad but this $9.99 belter has blown away many bottles 10 times the price for me. I usually buy a couple of crates each year. Ages well too. 

https://www.nicks.com.au/products/2019-three-brothers-reunited-shiraz

 

[Fuzz]

Three Brothers Reunited...but there's only 2 hands...

[loose_axle]

1 hour ago, Fuzz said:

Three Brothers Reunited...but there's only 2 hands....

If you drink enough the rest appear... 

[LOMTL]

What they did with that gamay is something, main factor for the wow is you do not expect gamay vinified like this, but it says on the sticker, extra old vines. 34$cad

[Çnote]

On 3/20/2025 at 1:51 PM, BrightonCorgi said:

Any Ridge is a good wine.

Ditto

On 3/21/2025 at 8:32 AM, Jack said:

When I was hosting bohemians years ago, I used to play "roulette à vin" on the major wine auction sites. Since they would drink anything short of paint thinner,  I could pick inexpensive bottles with some age and choosing those with no rating at all - never having been properly reviewed enhanced the chance of success at auction. Shipping charge was the most costly but US$10-20 plus I'm in California so shipping was $75-100 per case.

Go to your favorite site, click on "reds", "sort by price, "lowest to highest" and place the starting bid on anything 15+ years old - no matter where it was created.

Even today there are some I surely would have bid on:

1993 Elyse Coeur du Val Zinfandel US$15 opening bid

1998 Clos du Bois Marlstone US$15 opening bid

1972 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zinfandel US$45

 

Managed to save one from the pillaging hoard for better days.

Mayacamus back then was pretty swag.

[Ken Gargett]

all depends where you are, taxing, availability, many factors, but absolutely. i see heaps. obviously some more than others. 

some of what comes out of the Barossa and McLaren Vale, especially from years like 21 and 22, and what will come from 24, can be stellar. and brilliant value. there is so much more.