Red wine can often be overwhelming when it comes to picking out one that you like. There are thousands of different brands, varietals, and styles when it comes to red wine.

I have tasted wines from all over the world while running a high-end wine list. While tasting wine on a day-to-day basis, I learned an enormity of knowledge on this subject . Which is why I want to give you a list of ultimate wines that are excellent and under $50 for you to try on your own.

Give these a try and you will not only save money, trying to figure out which ones you like, but I will take all of the guess work out of staring at a rack of wine bottles wondering which are worth anything.

The Varietals are in order from Sweet (light) to Dry (heavy) Red Wines

Pinot Noir

La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

Region: Russian River, California

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: La Crema Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $35

Taste Notes: Boysenberry, Anise, Espresso Bean, Earth, Clove

Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir

Region: New Zealand

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Pegasus Bay Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $40

Taste Notes: Raspberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Purple Plum

WillaKenzie Estate Pierre Leon Pinot Noir

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: WillaKenzie Estate Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $45

Taste Notes: Pepper, Dark Fruit, Spice, Black Currant, Cranberry

Etude Carneros Pinot Noir

Region: Carneros, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Etude Wines Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $38

Taste Notes: Black Cherry, Asian Spice, Fresh Fruit

Bouchard Aine & Fils Pommard

Region: Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2009

Vineyard: Bouchard Aine & Fills Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $46 Taste Notes: Citrus, Cherry, Spice, Wood

Merlot

Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot

Region: Columbia Valley, California

Vintage: 2009

Vineyard: Northstar Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $35

Taste Notes: Vanilla, Blackberry, Maple, Blueberry, Chocolate

Rombauer Merlot

Region: Carneros, California

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Rombauer Vineyards Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $35

Taste Notes: Plum, Tobacco, Boysenberry, Red Berry Fruit

Stags' Leap Winery Merlot

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Stags' Leap Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $29

Taste Notes: Dark Plum, Red Fruit, Clove, Cinnamon, Caramel

Clos du Val Merlot

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Clos du Val Wine Co. Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $28

Taste Notes: Black Currant, Dark Chocolate, Nutmeg, Toffee

Silverado Mt. George Merlot

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2009

Vineyard: Silverado Vineyards Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $30

Taste Notes: Spiced Dried Cherry, Coffee, Toasted Sunflower Seed

Shiraz/Syrah

Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz

Region: McLaren Vale, Australia

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Two Hands Wines Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $30

Taste Notes: Plum, Blueberry, Mulberry, Mocha, Coconut

Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz

Region: South Australia, Australia

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Mollydooker Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $26

Taste Notes: Cream, Chocolate, Plum, Blackberry, Spice

Sequel Syrah

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Sequel Winery

Style: Big and Bold

Average Price: $49

Taste Notes: Dark Fruit, Chocolate, Licorice, Nutmeg

Terlato Family Vineyards Syrah

Region: Sonoma County, California

Vintage: 2008

Vineyard: Terlato Family Vineyards Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $37

Taste Notes: Black Cherry, Plum, Currant

Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz

Region: Barossa Valley, Australia

Vintage: 2009

Vineyard: Peter Lehmann Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $42

Taste Notes: Dark Chocolate, Blackberry, Blueberry

Sangiovese

Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Antinori Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $26

Taste Notes: Cherry, Red Berry, Espresso, Rose, Raspberry

Da Vinci Riserva Chianti

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Cantine Leonardo da Vinci Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $15

Taste Notes: Dark Cherry, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Plum

Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 2009

Vineyard: Camigliano Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $45

Taste Notes: Wild Berry, Tobacco, Cinnamon, Licorice, Blackberry, Raspberry

Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Fattoria di Felsina Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $30

Taste Notes: Wild Berry, Blossom, Dried Mint, Eucalyptus

Banfi Chianti Classico

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Castello Banfi Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $16

Taste Notes: Cherry, Plum, Violet, Leather

Cabernet Sauvignon

Turnbull Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Turnbull Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $49

Taste Notes: Dark Red Fruit, Charcoal, Black Currant, Licorice, Violet

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Chateau Montelena Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $45

Taste Notes: Sweet Red Berry, Mint, Cassis, Fresh Herb, Fennel

Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2010

Vineyard: Silverado Vineyards Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $48

Taste Notes: Cherry, Plum, Dried Herb, Black Currant

Mollydooker The Maitre D' Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: South Australia, Australia

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Mollydooker Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $29

Taste Notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cigar Box, Cinnamon, Black Currant, Dark Cherry

Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Stags' Leap Winery

Style: Earthy& Spicy

Average Price: $49

Taste Notes: Blueberry, Blackberry, Fresh Herb, Spice

Zinfandel

Rancho Zabaco Monte Rosso Zinfandel

Region: Sonoma County, California

Vintage: 2008

Vineyard: Rancho Zabaco Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $29

Taste Notes: Crushed Berry, White Pepper, Nutmeg, Leather, Strawberry, Blackberry

Artezin Mendocino Zinfandel

Region: North Coast, California

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Artezin Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $17

Taste Notes: Boysenberry, Raspberry, Cherry, White and Black Pepper

Frog's Leap Zinfandel

Region: Napa Valley, California

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Frog's Leap Winery

Style: Earthy & Spicy

Average Price: $28

Taste Notes: Strawberry, Raspberry, Fig, Huckleberry

Ridge Vineyards East Bench Zinfandel

Region: Sonoma County, California

Vintage: 2012

Vineyard: Ridge Vineyards Winery

Style: Big & Bold

Average Price: $28

Taste Notes: Raspberry, Pepper, Cherry, Vanilla, Wood Smoke, Spice

Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel

Region: North Coast, California

Vintage: 2011

Vineyard: Edmeades Winery

Style: Smooth & Supple

Average Price: $20

Taste Notes: Cherry, Blueberry, Plum, Leather, Tobacco, Smoke, Vanilla

I will put any of these wines up against the expensive guys, and each one of these have been on my wine list for a reason. I hope you try and enjoy these fine wines and thank you for reading my article Ultimate Wines - Always Great Red Wines Under $50.