
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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Rodney Strong Sonoma Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Paloma Spring Mountain Merlot 1998Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 1998Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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Artesa Sonoma Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WS
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St. Supery Merlot (half-bottle) 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Buena Vista Merlot 1998Merlot from California
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Geyser Peak Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Gloria Ferrer Carneros Merlot 1998Merlot from Carneros, California
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William Hill Napa Valley Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Merlot 1998Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Ferrari-Carano Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WS
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Bridgeview Paso Robles Black Beauty Merlot 1998Merlot from Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
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Verite 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Clos Du Val Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Newton Merlot Unfiltered 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Charles Krug Napa Valley Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ravenswood Napa Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot (half-bottle) 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Atalon Mountain Estate Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- W&S
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Rabbit Ridge Sangiacomo Vineyard Merlot 1998Merlot from Carneros, California
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Rabbit Ridge Sonoma Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Bonterra Organically Grown Merlot 1998Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
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Pine Ridge Crimson Creek Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Sebastiani Sonoma Merlot 1998Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Sterling Merlot (half-bottle) 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California