8 Perfect Red Blends for Autumn Evenings

By Tammie Hughes

Fall is my favorite time of year. A cozy sweater, jeans, and a pair of boots are standard attire. I’m anticipating cooler evenings around a fire pit sipping on a beautiful red blend, fall harvests of butternut and acorn squash, hearty grain pilafs with fresh sage and thyme, weekly homemade soups, autumn flavors of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, a hot gingerbread latte, toasted almonds and dried figs atop a warm baked brie… Yes, you’re with me now, right?

Red blends seem to pair well with cool evenings. Whether it’s an intentional Meritage or the result of a winemaker’s genius—a masterful red blend can dance on the palate, inviting autumn as she arrives.

Meritage is technically a red blend; however, it is actually a blend that only consists of Bordeaux varietals. There are strict guidelines that vintners must adhere to in order to use the label classification, and they must be members of the Meritage Alliance. There can be no more than 90% of any one varietal in order to qualify for the Meritage badge. Red Bordeaux varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.

Red blends are typically balanced and very versatile. You can pair a red blend with a sandwich, a cheese board, or a hearty dinner entree. They also work with after-dinner chocolates.

Meritage Recommendations

Best Splurge—Quintessa Meritage, 2021

This elegant wine blends blackberry, truffle, and chocolate flavors with just enough vanilla to round the berries into a velvety finish. It’s soft; it lingers.

Best Mid-Range—Dry Creek Vineyards “Benchland” Meritage

It’s rich with cherry and plum, has nice chewy tannins, spices of nutmeg and pepper, and hints of vanilla and cedar. It’s a balanced wine that flows smoothly across the palate, circling all the profile nuances from start to finish.

Best Budget—Sterling Vineyards Meritage

It’s juicy on the front with raspberries and boysenberries. As it opens up, there are hints of clove and oak, followed by a smoky vanilla finish.

Red Blends To Try

Best Splurge—Robert Mondavi Ode to Soul Proprietary Red Wine

This complex offering has a great structure. The floral aromas play nice with fruits of plum and black cherry. There’s a touch of licorice and a hint of earthiness. It is an exceptional blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Best Mid-Range—Vina Robles Suendero, 2020

This limited estate collection uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec grapes from small lots in the rugged Paso Robles terrain, and it is aged in French oak. The fruit of this dark, full-bodied wine is balanced with spice and mocha. It finishes nicely and pairs well with fall flavors.

Mid-Range Runner Up—Rodney Strong Symmetry

A divine presentation from their Reserve Collection, its silky, dark fruit is layered upon rich spices and tamed with vanilla and oak. The tannins linger. This wine holds up to heavier dishes.

Best Budget—Murphy Goode California Red Blend

Aromas of blueberries and cherries are forward at first, then reined in with bright raspberries at the back of the palate, followed with a peppery bite. The tannins are soft, and the finish is smooth.

Interesting Budget—Cooper and Thief Bourbon-Barrel Aged Red Blend

This complex blend is aged in bourbon barrels for three months and lends special notes to the dark fruit. It has a smooth finish that lingers.

As the temps cool and you’re wrapping yourself in a nice sweater, be sure to grab a red blend to welcome fall by a cozy fire. Collect experiences, make memories.