
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.
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Clos Du Val Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Arrowood Reserve Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WS
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 1997Merlot from North Coast, California
- RP
- WS
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Sonoma Creek Sangiacomo Vineyard Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Blackstone Napa Merlot (half-bottle) 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Kunde Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Camelot Merlot 1997Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Callaway Barrel Select Merlot 1997Merlot from California
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Ballentine Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Pine Ridge Carneros Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Dom. St. George Barrel Reserve Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Raymond Amberhill Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Bernardus Merlot 1997Merlot from California
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Kenwood Sonoma County Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Firestone Reserve Merlot 1997Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Chalk Hill Merlot 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Merlot 1997Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Benziger Merlot Reserve 1997Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WS
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Raymond Reserve Selection Merlot 1997Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Stonestreet Alexander Valley Merlot (half-bottle) 1997Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Buena Vista Carneros Merlot 1997Merlot from Carneros, California
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Beringer Howell Mtn. Bancroft Ranch Merlot (loose capsules) 1997Merlot from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
- WE