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Dry red wines have zero residual sugar and have no sweetness, hence the term "dry." These wines underwent the whole fermentation process; thus, the yeast has consumed all the sugar present in the grapes.

People like dry red wines for their tannins that taste more "complex" than other types, bringing out an earthy flavor not found in white wines or sweet dessert wines.

With the right flavors, you'll find yourself craving a dry red wine whenever you need a pick-me-up. Here are 25 of the best dry wines for enthusiasts and sommeliers!

Our Top Picks 

	Best Overall - Opus One 2005 • Highest rated • Concentrated aromas • Distinct taste
	Best Value - Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet 2016 • Most affordable • Red-berried fruits aroma • Shiraz spice with fruits flavor
	Most Sustainable - Hall “Kathryn Hall” Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 • Uses organic vine viticulture • Enticing cassis aroma • Full-bodied with notes of various spices

1. Antinori Villa Toscana 2015

This wine combines mostly Sangiovese with minor additions of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah. It offers a deep ruby color, with complex aromas of red fruit, sweet spices, and dried fruits.

Antinori Villa Toscana IGT is full-bodied but round and supple in the mouth, with rich tannins that leave you wanting more after each sip.

This dry red is rich with dark fruit flavors that are perfect for a chilly night. It's still light enough to be refreshing, adding to its appeal. Cherries and plums give it just what you need on those nights where comfort food fits best. This would make an excellent pairing when served alongside lamb sausage or pasta.

2. Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2013

This best dry red wine from South Australia comes in a light, medium acidity and tannin level that makes the flavor go down smooth. It's fruity with flavor notes of berry and plum followed by an aroma of licorice, oak, vanilla - all things you'll want to sip on for hours!

This wine was created with warmer climate fruits. The 2013 vintage is a masterpiece of balancing old, new, and French oak flavors to create an exceptionally complex nose.

It will remind you of chocolate, coffee, and cinnamon while rounding off this exquisite blend beautifully.

3. Lingua Franca AVNI Pinot Noir 2016

AVNI Pinot Noir is a sleek and elegant dry wine that captures the essence of Oregon's gorgeous Eola-Amity Hills region. The volcanic soils create an environment where they can grow some of the best grapes in America. 

This complex red wine has raspberry and cranberry notes with plums and citrus, giving it depth.

AVNI Pinot Noir is grown in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, which implements one of America's most protective land-use policies. Two-thirds are farmed sustainably, and over half organically!

This best dry red wine is flavorful, intense, and complex with floral notes, red cherry, and mineral flavors reminiscent of black plum fruit tones that linger on your mouth.

4. Luigi Bosca Icono 2015

This best dry red wine is made in the foothills of the Andes mountain near Mendoza, Argentina, and has a distinct blackberry taste. It combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec and has an earthy flavor with undertones of cocoa and smoky notes.

The makers behind it, the century-old Bodega Luigi Bosca, is an Argentine winery establishing a winemaking legacy for over a century. 

The red wines crafted in their vineyards are high quality and intense due to Mendoza's unique desert climate, providing excellent material deposits perfect for grapes.

The nose of this wine is rich and aromatic. The flavor profile starts with black plums mixed in a red jam; then the spices kick in to finish off that warm and savory taste palette.

It's silky smooth for such an intense palate experience. Still, it manages to be refreshing at the same time as it lingers on your tongue long after you swallow.

5. E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2015

A prized vintage for Guigal's Côtes-du-Rhône, this full-bodied and deeply textured red wine is bursting with class. 

The Guigal name has become synonymous with Rhone excellence as they are still best known for their exclusive single-vineyard estate wines. 

They have also created some excellent value wines that show your status at a much friendlier price point! This outstanding red wine from Guigal would be by far its biggest seller to date - proving just how beloved it really is in both France and abroad.

A deep, dark red wine that sparkles in the light. It is full and round on the mouth with a long finish, making it perfect for any occasion.

6. Hall “Kathryn Hall” Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

The 2016 Kathryn Hall is a powerful, compelling dry wine. Its deep ruby color and enticing aroma of cassis are perfect for its full-body with layered notes that include dark plum, ripe blackberry, anise, pine needle, and violet.

Hall Wines is a Napa Valley-based winery that employs organic small vine viticulture and precision winemaking to create unparalleled purity.

The Halls are committed to making great wines and maintaining sustainable practices for the environment.

7. Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2014

Undeniably a wine that pushed Allegrini to the limelight, this dry red wine is a unique blend of Corvina and Rondinella grape varieties with a small addition of Sangiovese.

It is made using an innovative take on the 'Ripasso' technique. The vineyard, which surrounds Villa Della Torre, produces full-bodied red wines with an aging potential of at least ten years.

This is a delicious option for pairing with its ripe black fruit and vanilla aroma. This versatile drink can be savored by itself or paired with rich pasta or grilled red meat.

8. Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2012

Aged wines at meager prices are what makes buying from Rioja so good. Their Rioja Reserva 2012 spent three years aging in the winery before bottling.

One of the oldest wineries in Spain, Marqués de Riscal, has been producing quality wine for over 150 years. The region where it sits is ideal for making wines that immensely improve with age. Its high mouthwatering acidity levels have created an environment perfect for crafting these fantastic wines that can only get better as they sit on your shelf.

Marqués De Riscal Reserva 2012 is a wine made from three grape varieties of Rioja grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo, with Tempranillo comprising most of it at 90%. 

The remaining 10% is made up by Graciano and Mazuelo, making for an exquisite final product with beautifully rich colors and crisp tasting notes. All the time and care put into its creation results in superb red wines full of body and flavor that can please everybody.

9. Catena Malbec 2016

Catena Zapata's "Catena" Malbec is a crowd favorite, with its ripe black and red fruit aromas that make the grape so famous worldwide. The wine has well-incorporated tannins balanced by generous acidity to give it a satisfying, lasting finish.

The Catena Malbec's deep violet color is the perfect complement to a beautiful evening meal. It offers an intense aroma, soft texture, and concentrated flavor with notes of ripe red and dark fruits with delicate hints of lavender, vanilla, and mocha. 

Overall, an excellent dry red wine with affordable prices.

10. Decoy Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Its fruity, smooth-drinking qualities are just the right balance to really represent the Californian wines.

Sonoma County is known for producing a variety of wines. However, the county has also been recognized for its Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons, which offer complex aromas and flavors that rival some of Napa Valley's finest vintages.

This dry red wine is bursting with rich, full flavors. The blackberry and cherry notes are complemented by hints of mocha, star anise, and spearmint. 

This Sonoma County gem will surely satisfy your buds with its juicy and fruity taste balanced nicely by soft tannins on the finish.

11. Meerlust Red Blend 2014

This dry red is a blend of 57% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 11% Petit Verdot. This approachable South African red wine exudes complexity with its fruity flavors and smoothness.

The wine is bright with a violet rim and has an intense, dark purple color. Its nose reveals powerful cassis, plum, exotic spice, and hints of floral aromas with incredible vibrancy.

You will experience medium-bodied complex flavors in crushed black fruit, vanilla, and dark chocolate on your palate. It provides a soft tannin finish to this complex flavor profile for any connoisseur's taste buds!

12. Château Lafite Rothschild 'Carruades de Lafite' 2012

Château Lafite Rothschild wine estate is a vineyard that produces some of the most in-demand red wines. 

The 2012 vintage includes four grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with an elegant Bordeaux style dry taste that leaves you wanting more.

The 2012 Carruades de Lafite has a dark purple hue and has aromas of cedarwood and blackcurrants. The wine is medium-bodied, making it perfect for pairing with grilled meats or fish dishes.

13. Faustino I Gran Reserva 2006

Faustino I Gran Reserva 2006 is produced in the Bodegas Faustino wineries and is rated as one of Spain's top wines. It is created with a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo from farms located in Oyón and Laguardia. 

These elegant red wines present a beautiful step across your palate, with excellent balance to make it perfect for drinking alone or paired with food.

It is clean and bright with a medium-deep red color. The nose is intense and leads to an elegant blend of ripe fruits like blackberries, with spicy notes such as cloves and cedar - all accentuated by light cocoa toasted nuance.

14. Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This dry wine is highly complex and offers many nuances. With an appearance of bright, deep, intense ruby red leaning towards violet, this vibrant wine has aromas of roasted pepper with hints of cigar box along with robust black fruit.

It also features some fresh-roasted coffee notes on the nose, giving it complexity beyond its peers in the flavor profile, as well as a balance between acidity and tannins for a smooth palate experience to enjoy!

The dry red wine was produced with grapes from their estate vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley, and it's blended with some 3% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc.

The year of production is a bit more challenging than average, but that didn't stop them from creating an exceptional wine!

15. Opus One 2005

Opus One is one of the most favorable and highly renowned best dry red wines from Napa Valley. It's a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, with small additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

It has rich tannins and a deep inky purple color, making it an exciting drink for both wine experts and novice drinkers alike.

2005 Opus One wines are rich with concentrated aromas, including blueberry, rose petals, white truffle, and licorice. You'll find tastes of cassis accompanied by black olives and raspberry on the palate and dark chocolate notes.

16. Zaccagnini Il Vino Dal Tralcetto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2015

Tuscan dry red made with Sangiovese, Montepulciano is a common variety of Italian wines. Bold and refreshing, this single bottle features all the qualities you're looking for in an evening drink.

The Zaccagnini Tralcetto Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2015 is a red wine that will make you fall in love with Italy all over again. The label, reminiscent of the vineyard from which it comes and the bottle's design, emphasizes tradition in favor of modernity.

The wine has an intense bouquet reminiscent of the primary grape aroma with intense ruby red and violet nuances. The fruity components combine well with its full body to create a perfect balance between tannin and oak features for those who seek out sophistication.

17. Amalaya Malbec 2017

Amalaya is the winery behind this 2017 Malbec blend; these red wines from Salta come with 13.9% alcohol. 

The Petit Verdot and Syrah grapes are sourced in the region's vineyards at an altitude that stands out as one of the highest on earth - with no more than 150 mm rainfall annually and rocky soil.

The flavor of this wine is like a symphony, with strawberry and raspberry as the violins. Alongside these are rich fruit flavors that taste ripe to perfection. The hints of black pepper and vanilla result in a delicate and lasting finish.

18. Viña Almaviva 2015

Almaviva wines are among the most reputable Chilean wines, and they're well-known for their bold Bordeaux blends.

These impressive bottles have moderate tannin levels as well as a balance between acidity - it's no wonder that these top-quality grapes produce one of Chile's best fine wines!

This expensive wine is a perfect balance of complexity and harmony, with an elegant and velvety feel. The firm tannins are round but persistent on the palate - it's like they leave your mouth feeling clean!

This vintage will surely impress at any celebration with hints of vanilla and cocoa paired beautifully with blackcurrant flavors.

19. Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

The Vasse Felix Filius is an affordable wine with an earlier drinking style. It has the structure, power, and tannins of traditional Cabernet made from fruit sourced from each vineyard at Vasse Felix.

This dry red wine is vivid maroon in color. The aroma has rich blackcurrant and cherry notes complemented by damp earthiness and the vibrant Malbec.

Alongside this fruity distinction, there's an excellent depth in flavor from savory beef stock and dried herbs like cedarwood that offer texture on the palate and a dry finish reminiscent of classical Cabernet style wines.

20. Bodegas Muga Aro 2010

Bodegas Muga wines are bold, high-tannin wines that age nicely. Bodega pieces originate in Rioja and offer excellent aging potential.

Aromas of dark berries, flowers, and herbs fill the senses in your first sip. The taste is full-bodied with a strong finish that leaves your mouth watering for more. 

There are many flavors to savor in this fine wine: red berry notes blend seamlessly with hints of oak and spice on an earthy background.

21. Soldera Case Basse Sangiovese Toscana IGT 2015

It doesn't get much better than spending hours in the wine cellar to create a fantastic drink. The result is a powerful, delicate wine from Tuscany that will last for years to come!

Gianfranco Soldera's Sangiovese has one of the most pleasant and mouth-watering aromas. This incredible complexity, layering, and refinement make for a remarkable experience of taste buds on the tongue.

Its flavors of cherries are vibrant and juicy, and the grape sweetness comes through with every sip. It's absolutely refreshing on your palate in all of its purity. It has a personality that shines through as you drink more from the glass.

22. Pétrus Pomerol 2018

Petrus is a Bordeaux-style blend of merlot grapes and Cabernet Sauvignon that will excite all levels of wine connoisseurs. This delicious, full-bodied red wine has medium to high acidity and tannin levels with an outstanding balance of delicate and bold.

From the sumptuous and captivating aroma to a rich blackberry flavor on its palate, this wine is undoubtedly complex. The 2018 vintage offers excellent deep aromas that will tempt your senses with fruit like spice or licorice.

23. Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet 2016

Australia's most notable winery offers an entry-level wine that showcases the country's distinctive blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. 

The majority of this blend comprises rich, ripe fruit from Shiraz grapes, while a small portion contains bold flavors from Cabernet, giving it solid structure and smooth tannins.

The intense aroma of fresh red-berried fruits is what first catches your attention. The smells swirl on you, along with scents of pomegranate, rhubarb, and notes of olive.

Shiraz spice notes envelop your taste buds with fragrances of fruit, merging into grainy softened tannins that have a delicious effect when drinking this wine immediately.

24. Giacomo Conterno Monfortino 2010

These dry red wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and have a tart taste perfect for decadent dishes. The 2010 vintage, which features smoke and oak aromas accompanied by delicate chocolate flavors with hints of cherry finish, will make any meal seem like an indulgent treat!

The Monfortino is elegant, with an extraordinary structure and power. Its signature fermentation process allows for a smooth finish that lasts indefinitely on the palate.

This wine has a flavor reminiscent of flowers such as violets and roses, with some leather undertones. Its bright red fruits can be tasted in peaches and lemongrass. 

Full-bodied and complete with just the right amount of tannins to make for an incredible, richly flavorful experience yet also subtle on your tongue.

25. Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Chile is among the world's most underrated wine regions, producing elegant Cabernet Sauvignons with budget-friendly prices. Tarapaca's 2016 Gran Reserva offers a perfect example with its old-school traditional style.

The wine is rich and complex, bringing a touch of Rhone to your table. An earthy character with hints of tobacco and herbs weaving in spices for texture. This beautiful vintage comes alive with ripe fruit aromas tempered by fresh notes that will leave wine lovers longing for more! 

The tannins are smooth yet round on this full-flavored medium-bodied drink that goes well with grilled or roasted meats and vegetables like squash or mushrooms.

Conclusion

If you are a wine enthusiast, you are probably always looking for new and exciting dry red wines to try. But if you’re not sure where to start, this list will surely help you. 

The best part is that there are wines for every palate, and no matter what you're craving, you'll find a couple of dry red wines to please your taste buds.

Did your favorite dry red wines make it into our list? Let us know in the comments below.

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