Introduction
As someone who has had the privilege of guiding countless guests through the Cellar Beast tasting room and into the depths of our winemaking process, I’ve learned that a top red wine is not just about price or prestige—it’s about personality, passion, and place.
At Cellar Beast Winehouse, we hand-select grapes from renowned American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), such as Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, and Dundee Hills, transporting them with care and crafting them using Old World techniques. Our red wines are made to captivate, age gracefully, and pair beautifully with food. This guide is for wine lovers ready to explore some of the most exciting wines we've released—and why they deserve a place in your glass, cellar, or gift basket.
What Makes a Red Wine “Top” Quality?
Grape Varietals & Complexity
Whether it's the bold structure of Cabernet Sauvignon, the earthy finesse of Pinot Noir, or the peppery intensity of Syrah, top red wines are built on the strengths of the world’s finest grapes. At Cellar Beast, we work with a diverse cast including Petit Verdot, Malbec, and even lesser-known stars like Sagrantino and Carmenere, offering complex wines with dark fruit flavors, vibrant acidity, and subtle hints of spice.
Region & Terroir
We source from elite sites such as Candy Mountain Vineyard, Tukwilla Vineyard in Dundee Hills, and Shaw-managed blocks in Red Mountain—each bringing distinctive terroir. Wines from Red Mountain boast firm structure and dusty tannins, while those from The Rocks District offer an earthy, savory edge.
Winemaking Techniques
Our winemaking is rooted in traditional French methods: whole-berry fermentation, gentle extraction, and aging in French oak. This allows nuanced notes, such as black cherry compote, dark blackberry fruit, and black pepper, to develop naturally.
Aging Potential & Tasting Notes
A true top-tier wine improves with time. Many of our red wines are cellar-worthy for 5–10 years or more, developing into elegant wines with complex aromas and a well-balanced structure.
Cellar Beast’s Top Red Wine Picks
1. La Bête 2022 – Yakima Valley & Horse Heaven Hills
Fierce. Polished. Award-winning.
Translating to “The Beast,” this powerhouse red blend marries 60% Carménère from Yakima Valley with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from Horse Heaven Hills AVA—two elite Washington terroirs. Expect bold structure, intense dark fruit, and peppery spice layered over fourteen months of aging in neutral French oak. Once a wine club exclusive, La Bête has stormed into the spotlight with a 94-point Double Gold from the American Fine Wine Competition and silvers from both the Sommeliers Choice Awards and USA Wine Ratings—a must-have for lovers of cellar-worthy red wines and bold flavor. Proprietary Blend - 750ML
2. 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Yakima Valley (Meek Vineyard)
Refined. Classic. Gold Medal Cabernet.
Our 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon - 750ML is a tribute to the warm, consistent growing season of the Yakima Valley, delivering a wine that’s vibrant, varietally precise, and deeply satisfying. Grown at the Meek Vineyard and aged 14 months in neutral French oak, it showcases rich notes of berry flavors like blackberry, plum, and cedar, with smooth tannins and balanced acidity. It’s a gold medalist at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, scoring 92 points for its finesse and food-friendliness. Perfect for pairing with prime rib, Gran Padano, or your following wine tasting lineup.
3. 2022 Dark Angel – Pontin del Roza Vineyard
A rare treat with vibrant acidity and savory black pepper notes. This earthy, complex wine appeals to those seeking terroir-driven wines and South American-style reds like those from Ribera del Duero and Chilean wines.
4. 2023 Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills, OR
From the Tukwilla Vineyard, this Pinot Noir - 750ML is bright with ripe cherry and berry fruit flavors, balanced by subtle oak and acidity. It’s the ideal wine for dinner parties or elegant gifting.
Read more about Red Blend Wines here.
Food Pairings That Enhance Red Wine
A top red wine deserves the right pairing:
- Steak or Lamb – Try our Cabernet or Le Bete with ribeye or lamb chops and other hearty dishes.
- Mushroom Risotto or Earthy Dishes – Pinot Noir’s ripe flavors and delicate structure works wonders.
- Dark Chocolate or Aged Cheeses – Dark Angel and Jeune Bete pair well with the bitterness of chocolate and the creaminess of pungent cheeses.
Need more inspiration? Browse our Wine & Food Pairing Guide.
Tips on Serving and Storing Red Wine
- Decanting: Allow structured reds, such as Petit Verdot or Cabernet, to breathe for 30–60 minutes.
- Temperature: Serve reds at 60–65°F. Too warm and they’ll taste flabby; too cold and they’ll mute aromas.
- Storage: A cool, dark place with stable humidity is ideal. Better yet, join our Wine Club for wines built to age.
Conclusion & Call to Action
At Cellar Beast, we believe wine is not just for drinking—it’s for experiencing. From award-winning Cabernet to vibrant Pinot Noir, our red wines are crafted to impress. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect dinner companion, a cellar-worthy gem, or a thoughtful gift, we’ve got something bold, elegant, and unforgettable.
- Shop the Top Red Wines Now at Cellar Beast Winehouse
- Free shipping on bundles
- Exclusive tastings for club members
- Quarterly Wine Club Subscription available
About the Author
Aaron Gratch is Winemaker and Tasting Room Manager at Cellar Beast Winehouse. With a background in sensory analysis and hands-on experience in every stage of production—from selecting fruit to guiding tastings—Aaron brings a grounded, passionate voice to wine education. He believes wine should be inclusive, evocative, and above all, delicious.
