10 Best Red Wines Under $50 from California To Buy from Big Hammer Wines

This is a unique blend unlike any other. Lortum Riche masterfully combines grapes from the prestigious Napa Valley across four exceptional vintages (2019, 2021, and a splash of 2022). This innovative approach allows the genious winemaker to create a complex and layered flavor profile, ensuring a truly unforgettable drinking experience.

Derek Beitler is the nephew of Caymus founder Chuck Wagner. He trained at Caymus and then found some small, high quality vineyards to produce his one man show. The results are one of the best kept secrets in Napa at present. His Cerro Oakville Cabernet has already found legions of BHW fans. But, this Petit Verdot is an under the radar, lights out gem that I can’t recommend enough. It’s rare to find 100% Petit Verdot and you’ll most likely have a new fondness for the varietal and fall in love after tasting it.

Merlot has been making its comeback for 20 years since the Sideways movie. Here’s an insider tip: Whenever I’m at a steakhouse, I often gravitate to Merlot because it’s overlooked by most. Napa Cabs and Bordeaux tend to be marked up too high, whereas Merlot is still fighting for its place at the table. This is a full throttle wine with a healthy dose of oak and wonderful dark fruit concentration. Oh, did I mention Jesse Katz is the 100 pt winemaker and this winery sells fruit to Silver Oak down the street? And, that the Sei Querce Cab has been BHW’s #1 Cab of 2024. Don’t miss this one.

Jean Hoefliger may not be a name you recognize, but you most likely have heard of Alpha Omega which is a winery he helped put on the map with his opulent and precise style of winemaking. Jean is from Switzerland and trained at none other than Chateau Lynch Bages. This brand was originally launched by Mark Herold and now Jean carries on its legacy. For those in the know, Alexander Valley is an excellent alternative and the place to find excellent value given the ever-escalating price of Napa Cabs.

Where does one find Cabernet Sauvignon value? Napa adjacent vineyards like this estate wine from Alexander Valley would easily cost $80-120/bottle if it had a Napa AVA label on it. This wine is fresh, pure, and just delicious. Stunning aromas of black currant, tobacco leaf, black cherry, olive, white sage, blackberry liqueur and sweet French oak. Though lush and soft on the palate, drink now or age for 5-8 years.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous is already calling 2021 in Napa a “vintage of the decade” with a 95-98 pt score. This wine received a 95pt score. It should absolutely be priced at $75-100 at the winery, but the BHW model is to buy volume and pass the discount on to wine lovers like you. Here’s a chance to grab a rare Napa Cab wine deal. Don’t miss it.

Disclaimer: This wine is made by BHW founder, Greg Martellotto and we love this wine. It’s an epic third bottle or that red wine that pairs well with most any food including white fish or salmon. Why? There’s not much oak influence here and the focus is on the fruit. Raspberry bursts and a bright acid tension make this very crushable. Serve after chilling for 20 minutes in the refrigerator and now you’ll understand why Santa Barbara is such an exciting region for Rhone varietals.

A famed single vineyard for old vine Zinfandel from a warmer part of the relatively cool Russian River Valley makes this wine a joy to drink. Plus, it’s already 8 years young and it’s really in a sweet drinking window. Plus it’s 50% off the winery price, so either way, you’re going to be laughing to friends about how you scored this deal.

If you’re having people over or a holiday party, or if you just like no fuss wines that offer bright fruit and pair perfectly with an impromptu BBQ, this is your jam. Petite Sirah has its own dedicated fandom and once you taste this wine, you’ll understand why. We don’t carry a lot of Petite Sirah, but this is a recurring winner. Every time this wine comes in stock, it sells out quickly.

Beau Vigne flies under the radar as a “hidden gem” and small boutique winery producing only a few thousand cases a year. Fans and critics alike flock to the winery for its outstanding wines and genuine hospitality including famed critic Robert Parker who refers to Beau Vigne as “one of my favorite wineries.”