
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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Fisher Vineyards RCF Vineyard Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau St. Jean Merlot 2002Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Merlot 2002Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Rutherford Hill Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Echelon Merlot (1.5 Liter) 2002Merlot from Central Coast, California
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St. Clement Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Franciscan Estate Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Camelot Merlot 2002Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Ferrari-Carano Merlot 2002Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Dog House Maxie's Merlot 2002Merlot from California
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Echelon Merlot 2002Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Flora Springs Estate Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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- WS
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Crane Lake Cellars California Merlot 2002Merlot from California
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Flora Springs Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Atalon Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Leaping Horse Merlot 2002Merlot from California
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Sterling Reserve Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Del Dotto Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Paul Hobbs Michael Black Vineyard Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- RP
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Paloma Spring Mountain Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
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Wente Merlot 2002Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Merlot 2002Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Etude Napa Valley Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Blackstone Napa Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California