Here’s a half-dozen under-$15 red wines that I think make the grade — stock up and enjoy!

Blackstone 2006 Merlot California ($12). Easily my favorite of the three Blackstone wines I sampled recently, this is a perfectly acceptable quaffing red, with smooth plum and cherry, some toast and baking spices. Soft, smooth, easy. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Gemtree 2007 Shiraz McLaren Vale Tadpole ($13). Outstanding value here, with ripe, lipsmacking blueberry and blackberry flavors that pick up touches of smoke and spices on the long, smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Penfolds 2006 Cabernet Merlot Koonunga Hill ($12). Fruity and easy to like, with juicy plum and black cherry flavors supported with smooth, toasty oak and a moderate finish. Versatile. Very good value. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Red Truck 2007 Petite Sirah California ($11). Black cherry aromas and flavors are accented with dark spices and vanilla, with a ripe finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Red Truck 2006 Zinfandel Mendocino County($11). Medium-bodied, with wild red berry flavors, touches of toast and earth. Not your typical ripe, high alcohol Zin style, but still tasty. And more food-friendly in the bargain. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Tamari 2007 Malbec Mendoza Reserva ($14). Quite good, actually, with aromatic, spicy plum and blackberry fruit accented with chocolate, a touch of mint, and warm baking spices. Long, ripe, focused finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.