The Best Red Wine Brands of 2021

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Château Lafite Rothschild is among the best red wine brands of 2021.

Wine may be classified as good due to taste, value, or distinctiveness. A great wine will often score high marks across these categories. The best wines, of course, surpass expectations and are difficult to categorize because they create a category unique to themselves.

The best wine brands, likewise, are known not only for the quality of their wines but for their consistency and singular charm. If you’re looking for the best red wine brands of 2021, look no further than this guide. In addition to the best brands, we’ll recommend a few vintages that will be ready to drink (or sell) in the upcoming year.

The Best Red Wine Brands of 2021

Below is a list of the best red wine brands in 2021. They are organized by the average scores of their most recent vintages, beginning with the highest ratings.

A wine from any one of these producers would make an excellent addition to your collection, whether you intend to drink or resell them. So, which vintages, in particular, would be the best choice?

Recommended Red Wine Vintages for 2021

The table below displays some of the highest-rated—and in some cases, highest-priced—wines from this year’s best producers. If you’re interested in opening a bottle for yourself or some lucky friends, any of the wines on this list should be within their peak drinking windows at this time. 

If you’re ready to sell some of your wine, be sure to compare the listed prices with your purchase price to determine your ROI. If you’re looking to buy, you’ll need to weigh the current price against its rating and remaining aging potential.

Each wine rating reflects its best review from sources that include: Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, and James Suckling. Wines are listed below in order of current average price, starting with the highest.

Of course, no matter how scientific the selection process, brands—and wines—that are truly the “best” will always be up for debate. For this reason, it’s important to know how to evaluate brands and vintages according to your taste, as well as your end goal in purchasing them.

Determining the Best Red Wine Brand to Add to Your Collection

Choosing the best red wine vintage to drink typically involves two considerations: knowing what you like and knowing which professional reviewers have tastes similar to your own. By writing your own tasting notes—even if they are for your eyes only—you can keep track of the wines and brands you consistently enjoy. You can also compare your notes against professional reviews to evaluate whether a brand or wine you haven’t tried before is likely to live up to your expectations.

Choosing the best red wine brand to add to your investment portfolio, on the other hand, will mean focusing more on trends. You’ll want to examine the rate at which older wines from the same brand appreciated, as well as similar wines from other brands. Likewise, you’ll need to know the aging potential of your wine, as it’s best to sell close to, or at, peak maturity. And you’ll need to weigh the cost of long-term professional storage against the potential gains of buying wine young—when it’s typically less expensive—and watching it gain value over time.

In either case, if you wish to settle for nothing less than the best, any of the brands and vintages listed above will meet the standard of excellence you demand. 

Whether you are starting your high-end wine collection or adding to an established portfolio, Vinfolio is your partner in buying, selling, and professional storage. Contact us today to access the finest wines available.