
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 repuation has taken a big hit, and more than a decade later has yet to fully recover, though it is on its way. What many 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.
- Rhône Blends526
- Pinot Noir493
- Syrah/Shiraz316
- Cabernet Sauvignon304
- Other Red Blends230
- Nebbiolo164
- Bordeaux Red Blends162
- Sangiovese131
- Tempranillo94
- Zinfandel66
- Grenache53
- Gamay38
- Malbec38
- Merlot19
- Barbera18
- Mourvedre18
- Cabernet Franc13
- Other Red Wine13
- Tuscan Blends8
- Mencia8
- Carignan7
- Carmenere6
- Bobal5
- Aglianico4
- Petite Sirah4
- Bonarda3
- Cinsault3
- Dolcetto3
- Negroamaro3
- Nero d'Avola3
- Sagrantino3
- Nerello Mascalese2
- Petit Verdot1
- Primitivo1
- Tannat1
-
St. Francis Reserve Merlot 2014Merlot from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
- RP
-
Keenan Mailbox Vineyard Spring Mountain Reserve Merlot 2014Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- W&S
- RP
-
Tilia Merlot 2011Merlot from Mendoza, Argentina
- RP
-
Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Merlot 2016Merlot from Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California
- WW
- RP
-
L'Ecole 41 Estate Merlot 2015Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- JS
- JD
- RP
-
Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Keenan Mailbox Vineyard Spring Mountain Reserve Merlot 2013Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Keenan Napa Valley Merlot 2015Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WW
-
Keenan Mailbox Vineyard Spring Mountain Reserve Merlot 2015Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- V
- WW
- RP
-
Keenan Napa Valley Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2015Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WW
-
Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2002Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Newton Unfiltered Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Woodward Canyon Columbia Valley Merlot 2013Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
- RP
-
Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2001Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Veramonte Merlot Reserva 2009Merlot from Chile
- RP
- WS
-
Blankiet Paradise Hills Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Markham Merlot 2016Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WW
-
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve 2010Merlot from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
-
Keenan Mailbox Vineyard Spring Mountain Reserve Merlot 2012Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
- RP