We Asked 16 Sommeliers: Which Red Wine Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Vinepair, March 19, 2026

“I should start this off by saying I am not a Cabernet Sauvignon fan; I tend to favor super-light, high-acid reds that I can drink like lemonade. That’s why I love Sunspell’s Cabernet Sauvignon so much. This is a Cabernet made in South Eastern Australia that defies most expectations be they in value, profile, or quality. The wine is shockingly fresh and has an almost Starburst-y cherry or currant quality to it in the best way. Light on tannins and easy-drinking, it’s something I once gladly put on my summer by-the-glass wine list. It’s not just a Cabernet under $20, it’s the only Cabernet Sauvignon under $20 that I would ever consider drinking.” —Patrick Halloran, beverage director, Henrietta Red, Nashville