Happy New Year! As we’ve now closed the reviews book for 2024, I’ve done the number crunching on all the wines we reviewed last year to come up with this year’s Top 50 QPR (Quality/Price Ratio) list. We reviewed over 5000 wines from over a dozen countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, China, France, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. Although most of our reviews this year were from Bordeaux, California, Italy, and Champagne, this QPR list represents the top 1% of bargains across this set of rigorously scrutinized fine wines from around the world.

As last year, we’ve broken the list of the year’s top 50 QPR (Quality/Price Ratio) wines down into five price categories: Under $25, $26-50, $51-100, $101-200, and $200-400. Barrel sample ratings were not included in the assessment.

Looking for Value

We’re a small team at The Wine Independent, and we can’t review everything, nor is that our aim. We are focused on targeting regions and producers that merit wine collectors’ attention and that offer solid value. We will be expanding coverage in 2025 to include Washington State, Oregon, and Burgundy, so stay tuned for lots more recommendations from these regions.

All these wines are linked to comprehensive tasting notes, which include important details describing the styles of the wines including body level, alcohol level, and major grape variety. These components can all be filtered on our website, putting you in the driving seat so that you can find the styles you love.

On behalf of everyone at The Wine Independent, I’d like to wish the wine-loving world a healthy, prosperous, and fun 2025. Happy wine hunting & Happy New Year!

2023 vs 2024

Last year, the 2023 Top QPR list was dominated by red wines (39 out of 50) and especially 2020 vintage Bordeaux (32 out of 50). The 2024 wine value landscape was a very different scene.

A few notable observations about the QPR of new wine releases in 2024 are:

1) In 2024, white wines proved better value than reds. This list includes 27 whites, 22 reds, and 1 rosé, with Chardonnay accounting for 15 of the spots, more than any other variety. This is mainly because some of the vintages coming onto the markets were challenging for the major red wine releases (e.g., 2021 Bordeaux and late released 2020 Napa, plus the heatwave of 2022 in California), and their prices did not decrease in line with the decrease in quality. The other factor was the significant price increases for many wines from great vintages, such as 2021 Napa and 2022/2023 Bordeaux. Top Chardonnays from high-quality regions outside Burgundy (especially Coastal California) are less prone to vintage variation, and although the prices are rising, the wines still offer incredible value compared to mediocre and over-priced reds. Chardonnay is where the smart collector money went in 2024.

2) The majority of value this year came from California (25 wines).

3) A number of producers who made the list in 2023 continued to offer impressive value for their quality in 2024, including: Aubert, DuMOL, Château Marjosse, Château Montlandrie, Château Laroque, Château Suduiraut, Andremily, Grand Village (Bordeaux), Château Larcis Ducasse, Penfolds, and Saxum. These are producers to start following before the prices go up.

TWI No 1 QPR Wine of 2024

Last year, the top QPR wine of the year was earned by a humble Bordeaux red retailing at $14, the 2020 Château Marjosse Rouge. This year’s winner costs considerably more at an average (secondary market) retail price on Wine-Searcher of $318, but considering that it is a 100-point Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the spectacular 2021 vintage, it is well-priced indeed:

2021 VHR-Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon - $318

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.81

Comparing the 2021 VHR to the other top Napa wines or Bordeaux First Growths (none measuring up to this quality in 2021), which can easily be twice this price, this is a no-brainer for collector bargain hunters.

If you want to learn more about Vine Hill Ranch and its owners Bruce and Heather Phillips, check out our dedicated Vine Hill Ranch article here.

TWI Top 10 QPR Wines of 2024

1) 2021 VHR-Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $318

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.81

2) 2021 Dominus, Napa Valley - $385

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.76

3) 2021 Ornellaia, Italy, Bolgheri - $257

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.39

4) 2021 Andremily Mourvedre, California Central Coast - $156

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.64

5) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL, Sonoma Coast - $180

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.56

6) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons, Napa Valley, Los Carneros - $190

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.53

7) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate, Sonoma Coast - $240

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.42

8) 2021 Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta III, California Central Coast - $250

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.40

9) 2022 Castillo Perelada Stars Touch of Rosé Brut, Spain, Cava, Penedes - $13

Score: 90

QPR Rating: 7.42

10) 2021 Saxum James Berry Bone Rock, California Central Coast, Paso Robles - $248

Score: 99

QPR Rating: 7.40

Top QPR Performing Wines by Category

$25 & Under

1) 2022 Castillo Perelada Stars Touch of Rosé Brut, Spain, Cava, Penedes - $13

Score: 90

QPR Rating: 7.42

2) 2022 Wild Duck Creek Yellow Hammer Hill, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia - $20

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 6.65

3) 2022 Morgan Highland Chardonnay, California, Santa Lucia Highlands - $25

Score: 94

QPR Rating: 6.26

4) 2022 Arbalest, Bordeaux - $22

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 6.23

5) 2021 Château Puygueraud Blanc, Francs Cotes de Bordeaux - $18

Score: 91

QPR Rating: 6.06

6) 2022 Château Marjosse Blanc, Bordeaux - $16

Score: 90

QPR Rating: 6.12

7) 2021 Château Puygueraud Rouge, Francs Cotes de Bordeaux - $16

Score: 90

QPR Rating: 6.12

8) 2021 Château Montlandrie, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux - $24

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 5.88

9) 2023 Paolo Scavino Sorriso Bianco, Italy, Langhe - $19

Score: 91

QPR Rating: 5.79

10) 2023 Donnafugata Anthilia (Bianco), Italy, Sicily - $19

Score: 90

QPR Rating: 5.24

$26-50

1) Sequoia Grove 2022 Montana Dorada Vineyards Chardonnay, & 2022 Haire Vineyard Chardonnay, Napa Valley - $50

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 5.92

2) 2023 Stags’ Leap Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley - $35

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 5.66

3) 2021 Chateau Laroque, Bordeaux , Saint-Émilion Grand Cru - $33

Score: 94

QPR Rating: 5.3

4) 2022 G. D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont - $34

Score: 94

QPR Rating: 5.26

5) 2024 Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling, South Australia, Eden Valley - $29

Score: 93+

QPR Rating: 5.21

6) 2021 Grand Village Blanc, Bordeaux - $31

Score: 92

QPR Rating: 5.11

7) 2022 Talley Estate Chardonnay, California Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley - $30

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 5.10

8) 2021 Charles Smith (K Vintners) The Boy Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State - $49

Score: 95

QPR Rating: 4.94

9) 2018 Graham Beck, Blanc de Blancs Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa, Robertson - $32

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 4.91

10) NV Champagne Voirin-Jumel Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru - $49

Score: 93

QPR Rating: 4.90

$51-100

1) 2022 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast - $75

Score: 98

QPR Rating: 7.31

2) 2022 DuMOL Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, Napa Valley, Los Carneros - $90

Score: 98

QPR Rating: 7.09

3) 2022 Hartford Court Jennifer's Chardonnay, Sonoma, Russian River Valley - $75

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.29

4) 2021 Château Larcis Ducasse, Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé B - $75

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 6.28

5) 2022 Penfolds Bin 22A Reserve Chardonnay, Australia, Adelaide Hills - $77

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.26

6) 2022 Nid Tisse Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, Napa Valley, Los Carneros - $94

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.03

7) 2022 Clarice Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands - $86

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 5.62

8) 2022 Talley Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley - $68

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 5.41

9) 2023 Penfolds Bin A Reserve Chardonnay, Australia, Adelaide Hills - $69

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 5.39

10) 2021 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes - $98

Score: 96+

QPR Rating: 4.98

$101-200

1) 2021 Andremily Mourvedre, California Central Coast - $156

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.64

2) 2022 DuMOL Pinot Noir Finn, Sonoma, Russian River Valley - $117

Score: 98

QPR Rating: 7.34

3) 2022 Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay, Sonoma, Knights Valley - $140

Score: 98

QPR Rating: 6.7

4) 2022 DuMOL Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard, Sonoma, Russian River Valley - $113

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.36

5) 2022 Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir Pisoni Estate, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands - $116

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.34

6) 2022 Summer Dreams Twilight Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast - $132

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.23

7) 2020 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino - $188

Score: 97

QPR Rating: 6.01

8) 2021 Château Suduiraut, Bordeaux, Sauternes - $101

Score: 97+

QPR Rating: 5.96

9) 2022 Andremily White, California Central Coast - $107

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 4.90

10) 2021 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan - $109

Score: 96

QPR Rating: 4.88

$201-400

1) 2021 VHR-Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $318

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.81

2) 2021 Dominus, Napa Valley - $385

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.76

3) 2021 Ornellaia, Italy, Bolgheri - $257

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 9.39

4) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL, Sonoma Coast - $180

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.56

5) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons, Napa Valley, Los Carneros - $190

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.53

6) 2023 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate, Sonoma Coast - $240

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.42

7) 2021 Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta III, California Central Coast - $250

Score: 100

QPR Rating: 8.40

8) 2021 Saxum James Berry Bone Rock, California Central Coast, Paso Robles - $248

Score: 99

QPR Rating: 7.40

9) 2022 Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta IV, California Central Coast - $270

Score: 99

QPR Rating: 7.37

10) 2019 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino - $235

Score: 98

QPR Rating: 6.92

How We Calculate QPR Ratings

Quality/price ratio (QPR) is a way of calculating value for money. Our formula uses 87 points as the lowest score for QPR consideration. For greater accuracy regarding the added value attached to quality, bonus points are added to wines scoring 90-95 points and higher bonuses to those scoring 96-100.

Thus, the formula looks like this:

(Wine Score ÷ Retail Price in $USD) + Bonus = QPR Rating
For the QPR bonus calculation, add 0.5 bonus points to a score of 90 and then add an extra 0.5 to each score above 90 until 96 points. At 96 and above, scores receive an incremental 1-point bonus. So, the scoring bonuses are:

87-89: No Bonus
90: add 0.5
91: add 1
92: add 1.5
93: add 2
94: add 2.5
95: add 3
96: add 4
97: add 5
98: add 6
99: add 7
100: add 8

Additionally, we’ve included bonus points for specific varieties and regions. Why? Because when it comes to forking out more for a bottle, consumers continue to gravitate toward a handful of well-known grape varieties and regions. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, in particular, command premiums. Likewise, regions where supply vs demand is an issue come at an increased cost, e.g., Burgundy, Champagne, Napa (reds), and Brunello. Given the demand, these areas are less likely to offer value, but to level the playing field, the following bonuses were added for grape varieties and regions that have the cachet to warrant a price premium:

Bonus for premium Grape Varieties (for wines included in this article):
Cabernet Sauvignon: +0.5
Pinot Noir (Table Wine): +0.5

Bonus for premium regions (for wines included in this article):
Champagne: +1
Napa Valley Reds: +1
Bordeaux First Growth (& Right Bank Equivalents/SE 1er GCC A): +2
Bordeaux Super Seconds (& Right Bank Equivalents/SE 1er GCC B): +1
Other Bordeaux Médoc Classified 2-5 Growths: +0.5
Brunello: +0.5
Bolgheri: +0.5

The results can be assessed thus:
QPR 10 = The Bargain of a lifetime
QPR 9 = Outstanding value
QPR 8 = Excellent value
QPR 7 = Very good value
QPR 6 = Good value
QPR 5 = Above average value
QPR 4 = Fair market price
QPR 3 = The price is a little steep
QPR 2 = Expensive for what it is
QPR 1 = Forget it

You may have noticed that this bonus allocation assumes that 100-point wines start at “Excellent value,” regardless of price. Because this is true only up to a certain price, we filtered out 100-point wines reviewed on our website with an average global price on Wine-Searcher of over $400.

–
Article & Reviews by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
Photography by Svante Örnberg

See more work from Svante at svanteornberg.se by clicking here!