Here’s my second wine list: 15 of my favorite reds between $50-$100 per bottle. The reaction to my first list was quite gratifying. I got a lot of positive direct feedback on it. I hope a lot of you found some new favorite wines. This list should help along those lines as well.

Where we could, we’ve given you links. If I could find a link to the year I reviewed I used that so that you could buy the exact same vintage. If they were no longer available, I chose the next closest year for you. Every wine on this list ranks either 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5. So without further ado let’s jump into these wines.

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15 Favorite Reds Between $50-$100

Paul Hobbs: CrossBarn Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. $52.99 average price.

Paul Hobbs has become something of a rock star in the wine world for all the right reasons. His wines are always outstanding. He started in the industry 30 years ago working for Mondavi Vineyards. Hobbs now owns a number of California Vineyards that produce many varietals, but it’s with their Cabernet Sauvignon that they really shine.

I always enjoy Paul Hobbs wines. Smoke and vanilla on the nose. Eucalyptus and chocolate in the midrange. Lots of spice and some well integrated tannins finish it. Nice mid-level wine from this producer.

Avennia: Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah 2016. $58.10 average price.

Based in Washington State, Avennia released their first wine in 2012. They’ve quickly become a well respected, top notch producer.

Blueberry, caramel, blackberry, and something floral on the nose. Super silky mouthfeel. Cherry-vanilla up front. Eucalyptus, cedar, and cigar box in the midrange. Chalky tannins and spicy smoke finish this one out. Very nice wine.

Groth: Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. $59.99 average price.

Groth Vineyards produced the first Napa Cab to receive a perfect 100 score from Robert Parker. It is now run by the second generation of family winemakers.

Dark cherry, white pepper, smoke on the expressive nose. Nice juicy mouthfeel. Cherry cordial up front. Leather and eucalyptus in the midrange. Lots of peppery spices on the long, lingering finish, as well as a boatload of well integrated tannins. Very nice wine at this price point.

Abeja: Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. $59.99 average price.

Abeja is located in what is quickly becoming one of my favorite wine spots, Walla Walla, Washington. They released their first wine in 2001. In 2018 the vineyard was purchased by an investment group.

Blueberry, chocolate, vanilla, and blueberry on the expressive nose. Super silky mouthfeel. Chocolate cordial and vanilla up front. Tobacco and leather in the midrange. Finishes with smoke, baking spices, and gentle tannins. Wonderful wine.

Austin Hope: Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. $60.09 average price.

When the Hope family first started farming their Paso Robles farm, they initially planted both apples and grapes. With the discovery of the region by wine lovers they shifted entirely to grapes.

Oak, peat, and wet dog on the nose. Cherry-vanilla up front. Cedar and cigar in the midrange. Very smooth finish with a hint of spice and some super gentle tannins.

Château Lascombes: Chevalier de Lascombes Margaux 2015. $60.50 average price.

This French Vineyard, situated in Margaux, has been operating for ten generations. Its wine has been classified as one of fifteen Seconds Crus.

Oak, vanilla, and cherry on the nose. The mouthfeel is light, but surprising silky considering. Cherry-vanilla up front. Pipe tobacco in the midrange. Finishes with smoke and a hint of tannins. Not my usual style, but I like it anyway.

Long Shadows: Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. $63.99 average price.

Another fine wine from Walla Walla, Washington. There must be something in the water or the dirt. The Feather was created by renowned winemaker Randy Dunn.

Expressive nose of peat, ink, mushroom, and slate. Big satiny mouthfeel. Black cherry and vanilla up front. Cigar box and a hint of mushroom in the midrange. Smoke and spice and a hint of heat on the long finish. Second bottle I’ve had of this vintage and it’s wonderful.

Ridge Vineyards: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014. $71.00 average price.

From Santa Cruz, CA, Ridge insists on making all of their wines as naturally as they can. As a result of this, they are one of only two vineyards that landed a wine on all three of my favorite lists.

One of my favorites. I was so pleased to find it at Woodberrys Wines in Galway and at a super reasonable price. Expressive nose: oak, dark fruit, and a hint of fungus. Super silky mouthfeel. Cherry and vanilla up front. Pipe tobacco in the midrange. Spice and the gentlest tannins on the long finish.

Mollydooker: Enchanted Path 2018. $75.99 average price.

Mollydooker is based in the McLaren Vale, South Australia. They are one of only two vineyards that managed to place a wine on all three of my favorite lists. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge Mollydooker fan.

This is my first bottle of the 2018 as Mollydooker wasn’t available in Ireland or Malta where I spent most of the last year. It’s not quite as extracted and jammy as previous years. But in a good way. Blackberry, blueberry, and black currant jam on the nose. Big, full, super silky mouthfeel. Silkier than previous vintages. Dark cherry, cedar, and vanilla up front. Eucalyptus and cigar box in the midrange. Lots of spice and some well integrated tannins on the long smoky finish. Another fabulous wine.

Sinegal Estate: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. $82.00 average price.

This Napa Valley winery has been producing wine since the 1880s. It was purchased by the Sinegal family in 2013.

This wine is outstanding. Oak and vanilla on the nose. Super silky mouthfeel. Vanilla in the midrange. Wonderful spice on the finish. Words are failing me. Decant it and enjoy it.

Mollydooker: Carnival of Love Shiraz 2016. $84.65 Average price.

Mollydooker is based in the McLaren Vale, South Australia. They are one of only two vineyards that managed to place a wine on all three of my favorite lists. And with the addition of this wine, it’s the only vineyard that managed two wines on the same list.

Oak and paraffin on the nose. Oak, ash, and chocolate up front. Cherry, vanilla, and tobacco in the midrange. Huge spice blast with some tannins on the huge finish.

Lancaster Estate: Winemaker’s Cuvée 2016. $84.99 average price.

This sustainably-grown wine comes from a vineyard located in Alexander Valley.

Elderberry, Parmesan cheese, and mushroom on the nose. Very nice mouth feel. Cherry cordial up front. Vanilla and eucalyptus in the midrange. Finishes with chocolate and gentle tannins.

St. Supéry: Élu 2014. $90.98 average price.

St. Supéry is a Napa Valley winery that creates a wonderful Bordeaux blend.

Cherry pipe tobacco, currant, mushroom, and oak on the very expressive nose. Cherry vanilla cola up front. Pipe tobacco and leather in the midrange. Pie crust and spice on the long finish. I decanted this one first. It was worth the effort!

Elyse: Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. $90.99 average price.

Located in Napa Valley, this vineyard was planted in 1880. Each year they release two Elyse wines, a Zinfandel and a Cabernet.

Wonderful nose of oak and raisin. Super silky mouthfeel. Cherry and vanilla up front. Leather in the midrange. Well integrated tannins and spice on the mellow finish. Decant this one.

Calluna Vineyards: Calluna Vineyards Cuvée (CVC) 2012. $91.99 Average price.

Located in the Chalk Hill region of Sonoma County, Calluna makes a variety of top notch wines and blends.

Oak, black currant, and cherry vanilla on the expressive nose. Silky mouthfeel. Dark cherry, blueberry, and blackberry up front. Vanilla pipe tobacco and bourbon in the midrange. Spice and puckery tannins on the back end.

And there you have it, my friends, compiled and reviewed over the last two years, these were my favorites out of the hundreds of bottles I tasted at this price point. I hope these wines bring you joy.

Buy some of these (or other) wines at Vivino and get 20% off with code WINELOVERSCU20 (first-time buyers in the US).

Have a favorite between $50-$100? Share it in the comments below!