Check out our list of the most underrated red wines here!
Often with plush, fruit-forward qualities or big, bold structures, red wines tend to carry a connotation of luxury. With that reputation comes hefty price tags, but like in any genre of wine, sometimes the liquid itself doesn’t live up to the bottle’s status.
But it’s not always easy to differentiate which pricey bottles are all for show and which are actually worth the hype. That’s why we asked sommeliers from around the country to name the grapes, regions, or producers that they think fall a bit flat compared to their sky-high reputations. Naturally, many mention the typical calling cards for “luxury red” and explain why they aren’t always up to snuff. To steer you in the right direction, the pros point toward alternative options to try that deliver similar qualities but with more finesse and cheaper prices.
While every consumer has their own preferences, it’s often helpful to do some research before splurging on a big-name bottle. With that said, these are the most overrated red wines, according to 11 sommeliers.
The most overrated red wines, according to sommeliers:
- Amarone della Valpolicella
- Left Bank Bordeaux
- Rioja
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Noir
- Mass-produced California Cabernet Sauvignon
- Argentine Malbec
- Napa Cab
- California Zinfandel
- Expensive reds for expensive’s sake
“I think Amarone della Valpolicella is one of the great red wines of the world and a star of Veneto, but where it can be overrated is that there are only a handful of producers that I trust to consistently deliver quality. It’s not the easiest wine to make and it can get hot (meaning high alcohol) easily in unskilled hands. Making it requires drying the grapes on mats for up to four months to concentrate the sugars, but that can lead to residual sugars in some wines. These wines aren’t cheap either and sometimes they lack the freshness of the ones made in skilled hands. While I love Amarone della Valpolicella, I’m skeptical about which ones will live up to the hype (and price point).” —Andrew Principe, owner and wine director, Dirty Dime Productions, New Orleans
“The most overrated red to me is a big, bold red like a Left Bank Bordeaux. They have their place, but so many are priced to slay you and they don’t impress me at all. Winemakers need to be less rigid in their styles if they want to succeed in the evolving wine landscape. Super tannic big wines are not doing well with our customers, especially in the summertime. Although I think all well-made wine is beautiful, those are the ones that aren’t taking up any space on our shelves.” —Cassondra Bird, co-founder and beverage director, The Scout Wine Bar, Gresham, Ore.
“While painful to admit, the wines of Rioja would by my vote for most overrated. Once considered an underrated region for ageable reds at a value, the blossoming of Spanish wine in the popular consciousness has led to a ubiquity of young, mass-produced Riojas that lack character and a sense of place. Does the region still make great wines? Yes. Is there a lot of history behind the DOCa classification? Absolutely. Yet the region’s fame has overshadowed other dynamic red wine regions in Spain and cannibalized their ability to find an audience. I’ll still drink and recommend quality Rioja for its consistency and steadfast adherence to traditional methods, but I find the reds of other regions, particularly Galicia, to be a little more exciting and representative of the people and place that produce them.” —Brian Sturgulewski, beverage director and partner, Bonhomme Hospitality, Chicago
“Every grape variety is capable of producing extraordinary wines in the right place and the right hands. But if I had to choose the most overrated red grape, it would be Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape itself isn’t to blame. The problem is how it has been treated. Too often, producers have chased power over balance with heavy oak, high alcohol, and excessive extraction overshadowing Cabernet Sauvignon’s true character. Then, there is the price: Few grapes command such inflated prices regardless of where they are grown. While the greatest Cabernets deserve their legendary status, too many bottles are priced on the grape’s prestige rather than what’s actually in the glass. At its best, Cabernet is one of the world’s noblest grapes. We just need to let it be itself again.” —Dimitrios Karagiannis, wine director, Babbo, New York City
“I think Pinot Noir is a little overrated. I love it — we pour a ton of it — and yes, it makes some of the world’s most thought-provoking wines. But if you love Pinot Noir, there are so many other wines you’ll find just as compelling, and they might even save you a few dollars. Let me steer you toward Gamay from Beaujolais or the Willamette Valley, Frappato from Sicily, Trousseau from eastern France or California, or Grenache/Garnacha from France, Spain, or the United States. Next time you find yourself craving Pinot Noir, try something new instead!” —Andrew Boulton, wine director, Beckon, Denver
“This is always a touchy subject, but in my opinion, the most overrated red wine style is overly-extracted, mass-produced, heavily-oaked California Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most versatile grapes and can produce some of the best wines around. However, when the focus shifts too heavily toward ripeness, oak, and power, the wine loses the freshness, elegance, and sense of terroir that make it truly exceptional.” —Juan Gargano, sommelier, Amasa, NYC
“I think most Argentine Malbec is overrated. There are some great producers out there, but the category exploded so fast to meet demand, and at the same time, prices rose along with that demand. I don’t think all that’s out there right now has a value that matches the price. Instead, I’d point people toward Cahors, Malbec’s OG home in southwest France. Here, the wines have more structure and earthy minerality you don’t find in most Argentine Malbecs. It’s also still a well-kept secret, and the pricing is great!” —Amy Racine, beverage director and partner, JF Restaurants, NYC
“One of the most overrated categories of wine on the market today is Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Although there are great Napa Cabs that exist from exceptional producers, these wines have become overpriced and inaccessible. I prefer a beautifully made wine from a region in Spain rich in tradition that produces bombshell red wines, such as Ribera del Duero or Rioja. These reds boast bold fruit character, earthy undertones, and layered complexities from oak aging. They can be aged in bottle for years or enjoyed right away with a delicious meal, all the while delivering a similar ‘bold red’ experience at a fraction of the price.” —Eliza Perkins, wine program manager, La Jetée, Baltimore
“California Zinfandel: It has gotten too jammy, too extracted and climate change hasn’t helped the cause. There are still some stalwarts like Ridge and Turley that I can rely on, but unless I’m eating barbecue or a burger, I just don’t want Zinfandel. Branch out and try some reds from Douro or Alentejo in Portugal for a fraction of the price. If you’re feeling adventurous try a Sankt Laurent from the Burgenland or a Teran from Friuli or Croatia.” —Alex Romero, wine buyer and educator, La Petite Grocery, New Orleans
“I don’t think any red wine is inherently overrated. What is overrated is the idea that the best bottle is always the most expensive one. Yes, you can spend thousands of dollars on what’s arguably the greatest red wine ever made, but who are you drinking it with, and where? Years from now, you’ll remember the conversation, the people around the table, and how that bottle made the moment feel. Cabernet Sauvignon often becomes the default choice, but that can keep people from discovering wines with just as much character, energy, and a stronger sense of place. My philosophy has always been to create opportunities for discovery by championing smaller producers, overlooked regions, and the stories behind the people making the wine. When guests choose curiosity over familiarity, they’re often rewarded with unforgettable bottles and experiences. That’s where the real magic of wine begins.” —Elishca Charles, general manager, Kann, Portland, Ore.
“I know someone (my dad) will strongly disagree with me, but Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon falls so short for me, especially considering the premium prices required to find a quality bottle. I will admit there are some remarkable AVA and sub-appellations that produce some incredible Cabernet, but again you’re starting to reach the point where you’ll spend serious money. On a more personal note, I also think the world has been so conditioned to drink Napa Cab, when in reality what they want is Syrah! That’s right, I said it. People aren’t as in favor of tannin as they may think; Syrahs are just softer, the fruit is more prominent, and those peppery notes are absolute perfection!” —Alex Cuper, director of beverage and hospitality, El Che Steakhouse & Bar and Brasero, Chicago
