
Merlot
Learn about Merlot — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
An easy-going red variety with generous fruit and a supple texture, Merlot can be made into a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the best wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol where it is blended with Cabernet Franc. On the Left Bank in the Medoc, it plays a supporting role to Cabernet Sauvignon—in both cases resulting in some of the longest-lived and highest-quality wines in the world. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly from California’s Napa Valley.
Tasting Notes for Merlot
Merlot is a dry, red wine known for its soft, silky texture and approachable flavors of ripe plum, red and black cherry and raspberry. From cool climates, Merlot wines will express earthy and herbal notes, while Merlot from warmer regions is generally more straightforward and fruit-focused.
Perfect Food Pairings for Merlot
Lamb with Merlot is an ideal match—the sweetness of the meat picks up on the sweet fruit flavors of the wine to create a harmonious balance. Merlot’s gentle tannins allow for a hint of spice and its medium weight and bright acidity are a hit with pizza or pasta with red sauce—overall, an extremely versatile food wine.
Sommelier Secrets for Merlot
Since the release of the 2004 film Sideways, Merlot's reputation has taken a big hit, and more than a decade later has yet to fully recover, though it is on its way. 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.
- Pinot Noir547
- Cabernet Sauvignon344
- Syrah/Shiraz170
- Bordeaux Red Blends142
- Zinfandel68
- Other Red Blends67
- Nebbiolo64
- Rhône Blends62
- Merlot36
- Sangiovese34
- Grenache32
- Malbec21
- Petite Sirah20
- Cabernet Franc14
- Tempranillo10
- Gamay6
- Barbera5
- Mencia4
- Mourvedre3
- Carignan2
- Other Red Wine2
- Petit Verdot2
- Primitivo2
- Tuscan Blends2
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Bonarda1
- Carmenere1
- Cinsault1
- Nero d'Avola1
- Tannat1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Mondeuse1
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Le Macchiole Messorio 2013Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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Hendry Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Lava Cap Reserve Merlot 2013Merlot from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
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Matthiasson Red Hen Vineyard Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ramspeck Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Feudi del Pisciotto Terre Siciliane Merlot 2013Merlot from Sicily, Italy
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Cotes de Ciel Ciel du Cheval Vineayrd Merlot 2013Merlot from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Merlot 2013Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot 2013Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Brander Merlot 2013Merlot from Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Teira Merlot 2013Merlot from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Wing Canyon Lolita Merlot 2013Merlot from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
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Hook and Ladder Estate Merlot 2013Merlot from Russian River, Sonoma County, California
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TATE Spring Street Merlot 2013Merlot from St. Helena, Napa Valley, California
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Y. Rousseau Pepe Cavedale Vineyard Merlot 2013Merlot from Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Donati Family Vineyards Merlot 2013Merlot from Paicines, Central Coast, California
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Titus Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Hestan Vineyards Stephanie Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Urban Legend Cellars Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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McIntyre Kimberly Vineyards Merlot 2013Merlot from Arroyo Seco, Monterey, Central Coast, California
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Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve 2013Merlot from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
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Flanagan Merlot 2013Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Mt. Brave Merlot 2013Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Rocca Family Vineyards Grigsby Vineyard Merlot 2013Merlot from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
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Pepper Bridge Winery Merlot 2013Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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