
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.
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Clarendon Hills Brookman Merlot 2010Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Efeste Upright Merlot 2010Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Ornellaia Masseto (3 Liter Bottle) 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Ornellaia Masseto (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Falesco Merlot Umbria 2010Merlot from Italy
- RP
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Mollydooker The Scooter Merlot 2010Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta's Reserve 2010Merlot from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
- RP
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K Vintners Stoneridge Merlot 2010Merlot from Washington
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard Merlot 2010Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- WE
- RP
- D
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Keenan Napa Valley Merlot 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- W&S
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2010Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
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Pedestal Merlot 2010Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
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Barone Ricasoli Casalferro 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Leonetti Merlot 2010Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Falesco Montiano 2010Merlot from Italy
- RP
- WS
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Petrolo Galatrona 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot 2010Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
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St. Supery Rutherford Merlot 2010Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Castello di Ama L'Apparita 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Ornellaia Masseto 2010Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS