Tannic Panic! Issue #119: Best Red Wines Alive

Our top red wine picks of the year in honor of "National Red Wine Day"

The entire human species is almost certainly, at this very moment, swaying in unison chanting “ZEUS JUICE” with their eyes rolled into the backs of their heads and their mangy wine-slathered teeth bared proudly at the morning sun. Or perhaps not. But one thing is for certain - today we celebrate “National Red Wine day.” [CUE INTRO SEQUENCE]

That’s right — as we speak, countries across the globe are frolicking with glee as they celebrate National Red Wine day here in America. First established in 2014 by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway “for funsies,” it is now a “modern tradition” that celebrates the enduring joviality that great red wine can bring to our collective “livelihoods.”

The timing of this “mighty holiday” in late August coincides with the onset of grape harvests in many wine-growing regions, making it a fitting “tribute” to the “seasonal rhythms” that define its production and subsequent imbibement by us. But beneath the extremely wholesome “clinking of glasses” and pervasive underuse of quotation marks that wine inspires, lies a “profound” deeper truth: red wine isn’t just something we “sip” when we’re “thirsty.” It’s a timeless symbol of ingenuity, gaiety, and life itself.

Well, I hope whatever we just said touched your hearts. Here’s our list of the top 10 red wines we’ve tasted for the blog this year…

Tannic Panic’s Top Red Wines of 2025

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Domestic (in order of price):

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2021 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County / $17

88 points (Z) - black fruit, cedar, mocha - Find our full review here.

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2023 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas, Paso Robles / $28

90 points (I) - raspberry, herbs, pepper - Find our full review here.

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2021 Sheridan Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley / $38

90 Points (I) - plum, dill, violet - Find our full review here.

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2021 Kamen Moon Mountain Syrah, Sonoma / $90

96 points (TP) - blueberry pie, cinnamon, orange peel - Find our full review here.

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2012 Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains / $278

98 points (TP) — blackberry, bay leaf, tobacco - Find our full review here.

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International (in order of price)

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2020 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva, Spain / $18

90 points (Z) - strawberry, licorice, coconut - Find our full review here.

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2017 Kokkinos Xinomavro, Naoussa PDO, Greece / $19

93 points (Z) - dried cherry, sun dried tomato, nutmeg - read the full review here.

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2021 Tornatore Etna Rosso, Italy / $23

92 points (Z) - red cherry, rose, smoke - Find the full review here.

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2011 Chateau Khoury Perseides, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon / $32

93 points (Z) - dates, orange peel, cardamom - Find our full review here.

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2021 Re di Renieri Toscana, Tuscany, Italy / $40

94 Points (I) - black plum, chocolate, cedar - Find our full review here.

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Killer bonus wines we’ve been enjoying (not reviewed in the blog this year):

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• 2021 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon / $18

• 2018 Protos 5 Ano Ribera Del Duero Gran Reserva / $38

• 2018 Tronquoy Lalande / $45

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So there you have it - the best of the reds we’ve tasted FOR YOU this year.

How about yous — tasted any of these and have “thoughts”? Any must-try reds not on our list? As always, let us know and/or bully us in the comments — momma says it’ll make us stronger.

Until next time, HAPPY DRINKING PEOPLE.

Cheers!

Isaac & Zach