
California Merlot
Learn about California Merlot, common tasting notes, defining characteristics and more ...
Today the fourth most widely planted red variety in the state, Merlot has much to offer. While it bears similarities to Cabernet Sauvignon (its half-sibling), it tends to be lower in both acidity and tannins, giving Merlot wines a mouthfeel that is often perceived as soft, round and plush. These qualities make it an ideal blending partner for Cabernet, the two complementing each other throughout.
Merlot arrived relatively late to the California wine scene. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when producers like Louis Martini, Sterling and Matanzas Creek—influenced by European Merlot blends—began crafting single varietal versions. These trend-setting bottles opened the eyes of others in the California wine scene and spurred increased plantings. From there, the variety’s lush drinkability led to a surge in popularity, then overplanting (some of it on unsuitable sites) and finally a backlash that was turbo-charged by the infamous 2004 film, Sideways. What most viewers didn't realize was that, as much as Miles derided the variety, the prized wine of his collection—a 1961 Château Cheval Blanc—is made from a blend of Merlot with Cabernet Franc.
Fine examples of California Merlot—either as a single varietal wine or as part of a blend—can be found from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and most regions around the state. Merlot wines offer a ripe, sensual mouthful of plummy fruit, suggestions of mint, herbs and vanilla, all carried along by an approachable structure and often, a great potential for improving with age.
- Standard (750ml)193
- Magnums & Larger38
- Green20
- Half Bottles7
- Collectible38
- Older Vintages14
- Boutique7
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2017Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- CG
- WW
- W&S
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2004Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (creased label - 1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2015Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WW
- WE
-
Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- CG
- WE
- WW
- JS
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Duckhorn Howell Mountain Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2001Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Estate Grown Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2016Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2014Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- TP
- RP
- WW
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Lambert Bridge Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2008Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WW
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Duckhorn Estate Grown Merlot (1.5L Magnum) 1995Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
- CG
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Pahlmeyer Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 1995Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2013Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WW
- CG
- WS
- WE
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Beringer Howell Mountain Bancroft Ranch Merlot (1.5L) 1993Merlot from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Pahlmeyer Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1996Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Pahlmeyer Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2003Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
- CG
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2006Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- CG
- RP
-
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve (1.5 Liter) 2011Merlot from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1995Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
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Rombauer Merlot (3 Liter) 1995Merlot from Napa Valley, California