Reds Under $50

wines

The 2021 Dolcetto d’Alba Vignavillej is deep, potent and explosive. A super-Dolcetto, the 2021 packs a serious punch. Blackberry, cloves, new leather and mocha all saturate the palate in this sumptuous, full-bodied Dolcetto. Superb.Vinous Media | 93 VM

The enticingly fragrant 2021 classic Barbaresco from Carlo Giacosa has enticing scents of botanical herb, hay, dog rose, camphor and spice. It’s utterly delicious, with flavors of star anise, red cherry, cranberry and blood orange that race across the palate before a black tea finish. It’s well balanced, with taut, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. This is an estate that gets better every year. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KO

Delicious and so enjoyable, this juicy, full-bodied red is one of the best Dolcetto’s out there, doling out flavors of ripe black cherry, black raspberry and white pepper. Taut tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced. Drink through 2025. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KO

The 2021 Barbaresco is exquisite. Bright and delineated, with tons of energy, the 2021 bristles with saline-infused energy. Red berry fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper lend tons of energy to this deceptively mid-weight, nervy young Barbaresco. Vineyard sites are Ovello, Cole and Loreto.Vinous Media | 94 VM

The delightful Moccagatta 2021 Barbaresco shows bright primary aromas of redcurrant, rose and wild strawberry, or "fragolino" in Italian. The wine is finely textured and graceful with a medium finish that feels glossy and bright. This Barbaresco sees a brief 12 months in barrique, and production is 10,000 bottles. Fruit is blended from Barbaresco (Muncagota and Ronchi) and Neive (Cottà and Basarin).Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA tangy Barbaresco that shows pretty notes of sour cherries, orange rind, allspice and ground coriander on the nose. Medium-bodied, zesty and chewy, with firm yet fine tannins. Attractive already but better from 2026.James Suckling | 92 JSThe 2021 Barbaresco is superb. Dark and layered, the 2021 offers up an exotic mélange of black fruit, mocha, spice, new leather, cedar, pipe tobacco and incense. This juicy Barbaresco captures the essence of the Moccagatta house style.Vinous Media | 90 VMThis is rich and dense, with plum, cherry, tar and menthol flavors wrapped in an embrace of vanilla, coconut and toasty oak. Balanced and lively, with a firm, lingering finish. Decant now or wait a few more years for this to absorb the oak. Best from 2027 through 2042. 500 cases made, 167 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 90 WS

The 2021 Dellamesola, from soils in Bramaterra, is a potent, young wine that needs time in the cellar. Dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol and dried herbs are all dialed up. This is an especially potent style of Bramaterra, built on fruit intensity rather than nuance. The Dellamesola is mostly Nebbiolo with a bit of Croatina and Vespolina, aged 12 months in cask.Vinous Media | 93 VM

The 2021 Barbera d’Asti La Crena is exceptional. Bright, red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. In recent times Vietti has focused more on freshness in their Barberas, and that is especially evident in La Crena—a wine that used to be very dark and heavy but is far from that today. Clean, mineral notes extend the vibrant finish. Give this a few years to develop the full range of its aromatic breadth. What a wine!Vinous Media | 96 VMAlthough best known for its Barolos, Vietti (now part of the US Krause Group) also releases a number of different Barberas. La Crena is from a 6ha site near the commune of Agliano Terme in the Nizza area. The vineyard, purchased in 1995, was planted in 1932. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and the wine then spends 18 months in a combination of steel, large casks and barriques before bottling. Stephen Brook: Opulent nose, with dark fruits tempered with some stylish oak. Suave and juicy, fine texture, balanced by firm acidity, which gives some spice and flair to the finish. Vincenzo Arnese: Candied aromas of Morello cherry and wild strawberry, very expressive. Bold palate with robust tannins; time will smooth it, yet quite rich and pleasant. Sara Bachiorri: Cherry and juniper berry nose. Nice concentration, with intense Maraschino flavours and a touch of liquorice stick.Decanter | 95 DEC

The 2021 Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne marries the natural intensity of the year with the savory minerality typical of Asti. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice and crushed rocks all race out of the glass. This is another stellar wine from Vietti.Vinous Media | 91 VMThis shows notes of chocolate and hazelnuts with ripe wild berries and sweet spice undertones. Medium- to full-bodied with dusty tannins and a bitter chocolate character. Tense with a fruity finish. Drink now.James Suckling | 91 JS