When’s the last time you picked up a bottle or glass of a full-bodied red? For years, lighter-bodied wines have been stealing the spotlight—like the “glou glou” Beaujolais bottles and the perennial favorite, Pinot Noir—but there’s a case to be made for revisiting their richer brethren.
“Despite a welcome rise in fresh, lighter-bodied reds and exciting aromatic whites, the ‘Big Red’ still rules the land when it comes to the preferred sip of many Americans, and there’s good reason for that,” says Matt Kettmann, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from the Central and South Coasts of California.
To help narrow down the best of the best, our tasting department pulled a list of full-bodied reds worth trying. But first a primer on the style and when to drink it.
What Is a Full-Bodied Red?
In wine terms, “body” refers to how the wine feels in your mouth and it’s a function of its alcohol content and viscosity. Light, medium and full are common body qualifiers.
The Oakland-based wine writer Nikki Goddard likes to use familiar liquids when describing body. “Light-bodied wines feel like water in your mouth, medium-bodied wines feel like skim milk and full-bodied wines are like whole milk, or even cream, in the case of some dessert wines,” she told Wine Enthusiast for a recent story on wine language.
Full-bodied reds typically have alcohol content between 13.5% and 15%, prominent tannins and robust characteristics. Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are some of the common full-bodied reds you may encounter.
Regions like Rioja, Chianti and Bordeaux have defined what we associate with full-bodied reds. Meanwhile, New World areas like California, South America and Australia have leaned into this style, each bringing their own take to the wines they produce.
“Thanks to abundant sunshine and reliable heat, West Coast vineyards can achieve a boldness that's unparalleled across much of the globe,” Kettmann says. “The trick is adding nuance and complexity to all that ripeness, both in terms of layered flavors and compelling textures.”
Jesica Vargas, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from Central and South America, notes that producers in Gualtallary, a sub-region in Argentina’s famed Uco Valley, are making surprising Malbecs, two of which are in our round-up below.
“The region's premium vineyards often boast high-altitude, cool climate and limestone soils, contributing to the production of complex and vibrant reds,” Vargas says. “Here, skilled winemakers craft elegant and lively Malbecs, challenging the misconception that all Malbec wines are heavy and overly fruity. They are certainly not. These wines are fresh and show a fine texture.”
Christina Pickard—a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from England, Australia and New York—notes that Australia has long been a leader in full-bodied reds, its Cabernets from Margaret River and Shirazes from Barossa, particularly. Unlike Old World winemakers, Australia’s producers steer away from heavy oak.
“What you will find more of in so-called ‘New World’ countries like Australia is sunshine-soaked ripe fruit,” Pickard says. “But here the line is blurring, too, as climate change causes more traditionally cool-to-moderate Old World regions to heat up and produce riper grapes and therefore more fruit-forward wines.”
Elaine Chukan Brown, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from the Napa Valley, notes that Zinfandels from the region are worth seeking out. “When it comes to Zinfandel, the best wines include layers of detail, as well as aromas and flavors so expressive of where the wine was grown,” she says “The history of the variety in Napa goes back to the late 1800s. There are still some older vineyards in the region that make wines with depth and generosity as well as enticing complexity.”
When to Drink Full-Bodied Reds
While the summertime calls for refreshing, light- to medium- bodied reds, like Grenache, the cooler months crave something richer.
“One of the great pleasures of temperatures cooling in Autumn and through winter is opening up special bottles of exceptional Zinfandel, or Petite Sirah and some fuller-bodied Cabernets as well,” says Elaine Chukan Brown, a Wine Enthusiast writer-at-large who reviews wines from the Napa Valley. “The coziness of end-of-the-year weather makes it a perfect time to enjoy hearty red wines.”
How to Pair Full-Bodied Reds
These wines are brilliant served with meals.
“These richer reds make perfect protein pairings, whether alongside steak, grilled mushrooms or snags on the barbie,” Pickard says.
While these full-flavor wines can stand up to substantial dishes, make note of not overwhelming the wine.
“Wines from producers like Robert Biale [like a 2022 Zinfandel from Robert Biale our tasting department recommends] are so compelling on their own that enjoying them alongside hearty foods that don’t dominate the palate makes great sense,” Brown says. “The wine is such a standout, it deserves the attention of being served with a meal rather than being there only to accent foods that overwhelm it.”
If you enjoy root vegetable stews, mushrooms, beef or lamb, Brown suggests a bottle of Zinfandel from Hendry, in the Napa Valley, whose wines “give a glimpse of another time in the region when it was dotted by family farms and mixed agriculture, she says. “The wines are full of flavor while lightly rustic. There is something about them that feels authentic and true to not only place but history. That character in the wine makes Hendry Zinfandel perfect alongside savory, seasonal dishes.”
Read on for our full list of recommendations.
Robert Biale 2022 R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel (Coombsville)
Flavors of pomegranate, black plum, orange zest and root beer mean this Zinfandel is simultaneously friendly and impressively serious. The tannins are lightly grippy with the potential to age, while the palate is mouthwatering and lengthy. Complexity and detail makes this wine stand out. 97 points. Cellar Selection. — Elaine Chukan Brown
$65 Biale
Hendry 2021 Blocks 7 & 22 Zinfandel (Napa Valley)
Full of power and concentration, this is a serious Zinfandel that delivers deeply toned flavors of black fruit, mixed berries, pine and even tree pitch. Distinctive and stimulating, this wine showcases how expressive the variety can be of where it is grown. It smells of Napa Valley in early Autumn. An intriguing pleasure. 95 points. — E.C.B.
$46.99 Wine.com
Zuccardi 2019 Aluvional Malbec (Gualtallary)
With its bright aromas of red cherries, mulberries and chalk on the nose, this Malbec is no exception. The equally expressive palate delivers red berries and plums blended with a delicious potpourri of dried herbs that leads to a long satisfying finish. 95 points. — Jesica Vargas
$95.75 Goslings
Bodega y Viñedos Catena 2020 Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec (Gualtallary)
This vintage exhibits a ripe character, but preserves its elegant attributes. A peppery nose shows light aromas of berries and herbs in the background. After a few minutes in the glass, savory notes give way to fruity flavors of sour cherry, red plum and cranberry. Oak spices softly mark the finish of this velvety Malbec. Drink now through 2035. 95 points. — J.V.
$199.99 Wine.com
John Duval Wines 2018 Eligo Shiraz (Barossa)
This downright sexy bottling is singing. A high-toned blood plum and blueberry note rings loudest while licorice, mocha, warm gravel and baking spices reverberate. Comfy in its own skin, it’s round and supple with lovely berry freshness and elegant, cat’s tongue tannins. Drink now–2038. 97 points. — Christina Pickard
$100 Old Bridge Cellars
Torbreck 2020 RunRig Shiraz-Viognier (Barossa Valley)
Rich, evocative aromas of mulberry, blueberry, coffee bean and hot-cocoa mix lend approachability to what is otherwise a rich, dense wine, packed with flavor, but also with powerful, chalk dust tannins that need serious protein if opening now. Patience will be rewarded, however. Give this a few more years in bottle. 96 points. — C.P.
$240 Wine Watch
Tor 2019 Tierra Roja Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
Not many young Napa Cabernet Sauvignons can be called silky, but this elegant, memorable wine is one of them. A perfumed aroma of black currants, violets and brown butter is followed by milk chocolate, spearmint and cassis flavors. Fine-grained tannins add a bit of grip to the texture. Best 2026–2040. 98 points. — Jim Gordon
$176 Wine.com
Broadside 2020 Blackletter Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
This is a complex expression, thanks in part to the 11% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of roasted plum, chocolate, mahogany and black olive recall a wooden booth in a classic bar. The palate hits with acid and then a tannic bite, offering strawberry, chai and mace flavors that are lively while rich. Tannins cling on for an extended finish, offering licorice spice to say goodbye. 95 points. — Matt Kettmann
$39.99 Wine.comMore Red Wine Coverage
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Published: August 14, 2024
