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These Red Blends Are Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts

These Red Blends Are Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts


Red blends have been around since the origins of winemaking. From casual table wines to the prominent bottles of Bordeaux and Rioja, winemakers have been blending for centuries. But red blend wines, in particular, have increased in popularity over the years for their complexity and great variability. 

In fact, red blend wines are now the second most popular red wine in the U.S. after Cabernet Sauvignon and continue to dominate its own sector of wine markets across the globe, according to the Silicon Valley Bank State of the U.S. Wine Industry 2024 report.

There’s plenty of reason for the admiration.

“A great red blend is like a superhero in civvies—upon first glance there’s nothing that makes this particular bottle special, but if something prompts you to find out what’s inside you’ll bear witness to acts of strength and prowess you never thought possible,” says Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large Danielle Callegari, who reviews wines from Italy. 

A couple of the Italian wines highlighted on the list below prove her point. “The Super Tuscans are thus aptly named, and none of them is more impressive with glasses off and shirt ripped open to reveal a super-suit than the Massetino,” she says. “Ostensibly the ‘second’ wine to the ultra-famous Masseto, Massetino takes the famous Merlot of the property and injects a tiny percentage of Cabernet Franc, like Captain America’s Super Soldier Serum. The results could save the world.”

Italy, however, is far from the only place on the planet that produces spectacular bottlings.

Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

The term “red blend” refers to red wine made from more than one grape varietal. These mixes are produced around the world and vary tremendously based on what types of grapes are used and where they are grown.

Common grape combinations include Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Merlot-Malbec and Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedré (typically shortened as GSM). 

Others involve more complex formulas. For instance, Bordeaux-style red blends are traditionally made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, but can also incorporate Malbec, Carménère and Petit Verdot. 

“Whether it’s based on the traditions of a regional formula, like a Rhône and Bordeaux blend, or a mix that marches to its own drummer—like the nonvintage Veneto mashup of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Raboso and Corvina on this list—the ideal red blend must be greater than the sum of its parts,” says Matt Kettmann, another Wine Enthusiast writer at large who reviews wines from California and beyond. “Why take, in the case of the Epoch, fantastic Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache that certainly stand on their own and subject them to sharing the stage unless they sing louder together?”

How to Know What’s What

With various possible combinations, understanding red blend wine labels can be tricky. Labeling, more often than not, helps differentiate between Old World and New World blends.

Old World blends are generally labeled with where they come from, like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while New World versions tend to carry labels like GSM, red blend or red wine. This is to bypass naming wines by grape variety but can be rather ambiguous to the layperson.

Major growing regions have rules in place for what constitutes a blend based on the ratio of grapes present. For instance, California law requires that single-varietal wines be made with at least 75% of the named grape type. This means that a bottle labeled Cabernet Sauvignon must be made with at least 75% of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. But the bottle can very well contain 10% Merlot grapes which technically makes it a blend, even if it isn’t labeled as such.

Figuring out this exact ratio of grapes is all a matter of producer preference and what they hope to achieve. 

“That’s the question every winemaker must grapple with when they embark on this choose-your-own-adventure format,” says Kettmann. “At the highest levels of this cuvee craft, the result should be a seamlessly integrated array of aromas, flavors and textures that work in harmony to present a singular, irreplicable expression. The wines here do that in spades.”

The bottles highlighted below represent the best in class. Each one was worthy of a slot on Wine Enthusiast’s lists of the most highly rated wines of 2024 including Top 100 Cellar Selections, The Enthusiast 100 and the Best Buys report. Take a peek.


California

Epoch 2021 Veracity Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)

Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini is using every tool in her belt, from the vineyards to the cellar, to create some of the best wines anywhere right now. This blend of 43% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache and 23% Syrah is a lavish yet detailed package, offering layers of fruit, flower and spice on the nose. Expertly polished tannins are both suave yet structural, framing boysenberry, lilac, cocoa and cracked pepper flavors. 99 Points — Matt Kettmann

$75
Epoch Wines

Quintessa 2021 Red (Rutherford)

An exquisite wine, relying primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon from a single estate. Aromas of lavender, dried herbs and grapefruit pith combine with flavors of firm fruits and cocoa on a structure of abundant, powder-fine tannin and a mouthwatering finish. This wine is refined, detailed and delicious, with as much elegance as energy. Best 2026–2040. Cellar Selection. 100 Points Elaine Chukan Brown

$250
Wine.com

Pahlmeyer 2021 Red (Napa Valley)

A sophisticated red blend with command of its style, this wine brings Cabernet Sauvignon together with the attributes of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec to deliver savory flavors of blue and black fruits, graphite and gravel, lifted by a waft of violet and fresh herbs. The tannins are abundant while approachable, balanced by persistent acidity that creates an upright structure and welcoming presentation. Delicious. 96 Points — E.C.B.

$250
Pahlmeyer

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Italy

Masseto 2021 Massetino Red (Toscana)

The Masseto 2020 and the Massetino 2021 bring to mind the Duomo of Florence and the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica—both magnificent, imposing and equally beautiful. And if the Masseto is more architecturally sophisticated, the Massetino seems to do more with less. The Cabernet Franc works like an ice plunge after a hot sauna, tempering the almost terrifying intensity of the Merlot. A work of art, in any case. Gorgeous now, better in 2031. Cellar Selection. 98 Points — Danielle Callegari

$350
Westchester Wines

Renzo Masi 2020 Contrappasso Red (Toscana)

The nose features a nuanced, slightly astringent sweetness, with aromas of strawberry fruit leather, cherry, roses and hibiscus, and a stony undertone providing balance. On the palate, oranges emphasize the strawberry notes, while the enduring stoniness adds a light salinity. Powerful tannins and acid hold everything together. Best Buy. 94 Points — D.C.

$13
Fine Wine & Good Spirits

Domini del Leone NV Red (Veneto)

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Raboso and Corvina from multiple vintages, this wine wafts out of the glass with a depth that shows the passion and dedication of the Fidora family. Aromas and flavors of black cherries, plum, clove, ground ginger, and wild herbs. Elegant on the palate with fine tannins that form a foundation in which the dark fruit notes have a place to fully express themselves on the elegant and seductive finish. Best Buy. 93 Points — Jeff Porter

$14
The Cellar D’or

 France

Domaine Santa Duc 2020 Clos Derrière Vieille Red (Gigondas)

This wine epitomizes purity with its captivating, concentrated nose of diced Morello cherries encased in wild mint and rose. The palate is layered with a delicate quilt of saffron, violet and white peppercorn. Its brisk acidity allows for immediate enjoyment, but this wine should yield more layers of complexity after additional cellaring well through 2030+. Cellar Selection. 96 Points — Anna-Christina Cabrales

$76
Plum Market

Domaine du Pegau 2019 Reserved Cuvée Red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

Sanguine aromas emerge from a layer of black plum, black cherry, seamlessly blending with violets and eucalyptus. With further aeration, a meaty undertone and black olive emerge, creating a remarkably complex nose. The palate offers vibrant blueberry, subtly dusted in oak spice, with earthy mushroom tones adding depth and intrigue. 96 Points — A.C.

$110
Total Wine & More

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Spain

Muga 2019 Torre Muga Red (Rioja)

Deep violet-red in the glass, this wine has a nose of black cherry, black currant, vanilla and dried Mediterranean herbs. Deep-set tannins coat the tongue and gums before revealing blackberry preserve, butterscotch, anisette and violet flavors. The enduring finish offers a splash of pomegranate. Drink through 2039. Cellar Selection. 97 Points — Mike DeSimone

$140
Total Wine & More

Greece

Gaia Wines 2022 Notios Red (Peloponnese)

Expect cranberries, raspberries and sage on the nose of this elegant dry red wine made primarily from Agiorgitiko, the signature grape from Greece’s Nemea region. The beautifully tart palate has lots of fresh, juicy cranberries underscored by spicy black pepper, hinting at the 15% of Syrah in the mix. It’s followed by a long, tart finish with beautifully integrated tannins. Best Buy. 92 Points — Emily Saladino

$17
Wine.com


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  • Amid climate change’s winners and losers, Portuguese grapes come out on top.
  • 10 seductive bottles of Syrah to try right now.
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