Five FAB Fall Wines Under $15

As the days of summer slowly dwindle to an end, I find myself lingering over each and every last drop of the light, crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blancs and rosés in our cellar. While I'm not quite ready to bid adieu to the long, balmy, routine-free days of summer, I must admit that thoughts of  rich and robust  red wines, fireside chats with family and friends, and the breathtaking tapestry of fall foliage make welcoming autumn less dreary and a little more exhilarating.

With the equinox quickly approaching, I look forward to sipping heavier, more intense reds that envelop me like a thick, luxurious velvet blanket on a brisk autumn day.  Here are five fabulous red—all under $15—perfect for the cooler temperatures…grab a cozy blanket, light a fire, and enjoy…

Happy Fall…CHEERS!

1.  Estancia Estates, Keyes Canyon Ranches, 2011 Merlot

Toasty, Velvety, and Easy to Drink!

This merlot is a medium bodied, but intense wine with a  rich, purple color and moderately long finish. The nose is spicy and woody, with hints of licorice while the taste is jammy with notes of berries, plum, wild cherry and vanilla.  It is an easy to drink wine, likable to a variety of palates and great to pair with hearty fall meals like meatloaf, chili, and roast duck.

The word "estancia" loosely translates to "estate" in Spanish and illustrates the Estancia Winery's philosophy that the best wines are those that bring their place of origin to life.  Estania is comprised of three vineyards located on the Central Coast of California:  Pinnacles and Stonewall Vineyards in Monterey and Keyes Canyon in Paso Robles.  The latter region's cool evening temperatures, paired with warmer days make it the ideal climate for the Merlot, as well as Cabernet and Zinfandel grape varieties to yield wines that are lush, smooth, and perfectly balanced.

This merlot is a superior find for the taste and value.  

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Spicy, woody, licorice

Taste: Dense black plum and cherry, jammy, vanilla and berry flavors

Finish:  Moderate, smooth, complex, and oaky

Price: Approximately $12

2. Acentor Garnacha, 2011, D.O. Catalayud, Spain

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

A grand garnache from Spain and named after the small birds that flock together to eat the grapes of the these 50 year old vines, this wine is an explosion of blackberries, herbs, and autumn pies. It is medium bodied, fruit-forward and smooth on the tongue with flavors of rich berries and spices that produce a clean finish.  Acentor pairs beautifully with pork, hams, and roasted or grilled poultry and game.

The wine, from the Aragon region of Spain, is produced by famous Spanish winemaker Isaac Fernandez widely known in the viniculture world as the creator of some of the most prestigious fine wines of Ribera del Duero including Bodgegas Mauro, Neo, and Astrales.

Acentor is an elegant wine without the hefty price tag associated with an Isaac Fernandez wine.  It's no wonder that the acentor birds devour these grapes for dinner...

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Blackberries, herbs, cherry pie

Taste: Spicy, jammy, berry

Finish:  Fresh, smooth, soft tannins

Price: Approximately $12

3.  Domaine Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone, 2010, Southern Rhone, France
A Smooth French Belle

Earlier this year, The WineSpectator featured a cover story on the quality and value of Cotes du Rhone wines.  Since then, I’ve tasted a number of these wines and have found the Domaine Andre Brunel to be one of my all-time favorites from Southern Rhone.  This medium-bodied and robust wine is a beautiful bargain red with notes of blackcurrant, cherries and small red berry fruits and hints of mild spices.  The blend is 80% Grenache, 10%Syrah, and 10% old vine Cinsault.  I have paired this beauty with mussels, stews, ratatouille, roasted vegetables, and tomato-based pastas.

Andre Brunel’s family has made Southern Rhone their home since the 18th century.  His grandfather established the winemaking tradition and his father ran the Cailloux estate until 1971, when Andre took over the helms and catapulted the domaine into world class recognition.  The estate destems all of their grapes to prevent bitterness and bottles their wines unfined and unfiltered.  The winery is best known for its much-celebrated and high end Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux and the Cuvee Centenaire.

This bargain beauty is an ideal companion for a meal on a brisk and blustery fall day.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Blackcurrants, spices, cherries


Taste: Ripe red fruits

Finish:  A bit harsh in the beginning, but rounds out in the end and the longer the bottle is open

Price: Approximately $11 

4.  Gascon Malbec, 2011, Mendoza, Argentina

A Red That Tangos

This 100% malbec wine from the Mendoza region of Argentina is a good, everyday wine that exhibits characteristics of mulberry, cedar, and strawberry jam.  Intense, thick and chewy, the wine is medium bodied, yet spicy and robust.  A grilled steak with chimichurri and potatoes is an excellent accompaniment to this big South American wine.

The wine is named after the original founder of the winery, Don Miguel Gascon, who built his grape empire in 1884 after moving to Argentina from Spain.  Don Gascon's heirs and descendants ran the winery until 1993 when another prominent wine family in Argentina, the Catenas, took over the vineyards with a group of investors.  Since then, winemaker, Ernesto Catena, has brought the Gascon wine to world-wide recognition.

The Gascon Malbec suits many different palates and is a value wine that has the warmth and richness needed for crisp fall weather.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Mulberry, cedar, strawberry jam


Taste: Blackberry, plum, cocoa

Finish:  Spicey and long

Price: Approximately $10

5. Layer Cake Shiraz, 2011, Barossa Valley, Australia

Let's DRINK Cake (despite the screwtop)...

This stunning Shiraz is a show-stopper!  However, please don't judge the screwtop...this wine is full-bodied, smooth, supple, and bursts with flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and black fruit.  Blackish, ruby in color, it is rich, intense and possesses an incredibly long finish that remains on your palate well after you’ve swallowed a sip…it's reminiscent of the feeling after a mouthful of POP ROCKS.

Layer Cake is made by winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, most known for his pricey and well-regarded Hundred Acre wines in Napa Valley, California.  He created the Layer Cake wines so that everyone...not just the elite can savour fine wine without breaking the bank.  The wine is produced in the famous Barossa Valley in Southern Australia and made from old-vine shiraz.  According to many reputable wine reviewers, this is one of the top shiraz wines on the market.  It is best to open this wine several hours before sipping as it needs a bit of time to open up and show off all its intensity.


The name "Layer Cake" was inspired by Woodbridge's grandparents.  Each Sunday, his grandmother baked a layer cake that his grandfather would enjoy with a glass of wine.  The grandfather explained to him that the vines of a great wine "live in layers of soil just like the layers in Grandma's cake; each layer brining a different flavor."  He would later use that analogy to explain that everything in life has deep layers and complexity.

Woodbridge's mission with this shiraz was to "simply shock people about how good wine could be at a very affordable price"...I opine:  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Wine Notes
Bouquet: Bitter chocolate, coffee, black fruit

Taste: Blackberry, black cherries, black currant, licorice

Finish:  Long, luscious and explosive

Price: Approximately $15