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Red Wine Picks in the $40 Range - Cabernet's - Royal Prince and Amici 2019 vintages

Wine Review

Exploring the World of Red Wines

A journey from budget bottles to finding the perfect balance

~4
Price Tiers
3
Top Picks
2019
Vintage Year
Section I

My Wine Journey

The door has opened for me to the world of red wines, and I'm starting to appreciate the nuances and appeal of enjoying a nice glass of wine. I still have a lot to learn, but I've graduated from $4 Trader Joe's options to $13 Malbecs, and now I'm venturing into the $40 range.

There is obviously a significant difference between these price points. Unfortunately, I haven't found much in the $20-$30 range, as they all taste quite similar to the Malbecs. So far, most $40 wines I've tried have been amazing, and I even sampled a $90 Cabernet that left me in awe. However, it's too pricey to become a habit, so I’ll settle for $40-$50 wines while I continue to hunt for decent $20-$30 options to stay within my budget.

 

The $40–$50 Range (2019 Vintage)
  • Caravan Darioush — An enjoyable selection within the target price point.
  • Amici — The standout choice of the group.
  • Royal Prince — A close runner-up to the Amici.
I'm discovering that I prefer a drier taste with lower tannin bitterness. The dryness helps offset any bitter tannin flavors. While I appreciate the fruity forwardness of a Malbec and other cheaper wines, I find it less appealing in more expensive options. Instead, I prefer something more balanced, which I assume is what 'full-bodied' describes.
Price CategoryNotable ExperienceStatus
$4Trader Joe'sEntry Level
$13MalbecsFrequent
$20–$30Limited VarietyHunting
$40–$502019 VintagePreferred
$90CabernetAwe-inspiring
I'm still learning exactly what full-bodied entails, but I'm eager to explore further.

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