California Merlot 12 Items
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Varietal Merlot
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Region California
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Fine Wine Any
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Tortoise Creek Merlot 2020Merlot from Clarksburg, Yolo County, California0.0 0 Ratings13 99Ships Mon, Apr 29Limit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Tortoise Creek Merlot 2019Merlot from Clarksburg, Yolo County, California0.0 0 Ratings11 99Last call - only 8 left!Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Hayes Valley Merlot 2021Merlot from Central Coast, California0.0 0 Ratings13 99Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Stone Cellars Merlot 2022Merlot from California0.0 0 Ratings7 99Ships Mon, Apr 29Limit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Stone Cellars Merlot 2020Merlot from California0.0 0 Ratings7 99Last call - only 5 left!Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Chloe Merlot 2021Merlot from San Lucas, Monterey, Central Coast, California
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0.0 0 Ratings13 99Last call - only 6 left!Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0 -
Cannonball Merlot 2021Merlot from California
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0.0 0 Ratings1614 99Save $1.01 (6%)Ships Mon, Apr 29Limit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0 -
Spellbound Merlot 2022Merlot from California0.0 0 Ratings1510 99Save $4.01 (27%)Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Chloe Merlot 2022Merlot from San Lucas, Monterey, Central Coast, California0.0 0 Ratings11 99Ships Mon, Apr 29Limit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Chloe Merlot 2020Merlot from San Lucas, Monterey, Central Coast, California0.0 0 Ratings13 99Last call - only 6 left!Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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McManis Family Vineyards Merlot 2021Merlot from California0.0 0 Ratings12 99Ships Mon, Apr 29Limit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Hahn Founder's Merlot 2021Merlot from California
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3.5 9 Ratings14 99Ships TomorrowLimit 0 per customerSold in increments of 0
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Red White Sparkling Rosé Spirits GiftsLearn 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.