
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.
- Cabernet Sauvignon541
- Merlot324
- Bordeaux Red Blends283
- Pinot Noir279
- Syrah/Shiraz211
- Other Red Blends184
- Sangiovese175
- Zinfandel167
- Rhône Blends90
- Nebbiolo70
- Tempranillo62
- Barbera25
- Gamay25
- Other Red Wine24
- Tuscan Blends19
- Cabernet Franc14
- Grenache14
- Petite Sirah14
- Pinotage8
- Malbec6
- Montepulciano4
- Mourvedre4
- Aglianico3
- Corvina3
- Dolcetto3
- Negroamaro3
- Nero d'Avola2
- Pinot Meunier2
- Blaufrankisch2
- Gaglioppo2
- Carignan1
- Carmenere1
- Primitivo1
- Teroldego1
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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
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Reserve Merlot 1998Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Backsberg Estate Merlot 1998Merlot from South Africa
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Columbia Crest Merlot 1998Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Snoqualmie Merlot 1998Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Buena Vista Merlot 1998Merlot from California
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Michel Lynch Merlot 1998Merlot from Bordeaux, France
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Covey Run Merlot Barrel Select 1998Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Baobab Merlot 1998Merlot from South Africa
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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
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Clos Du Val Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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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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Markham Reserve Merlot 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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Clos Du Val Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ravenswood Napa Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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C.J. Pask Winery GimblettRoad Merlot 1998Merlot from New Zealand
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Bulletin Place Merlot 1998Merlot from Australia
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Atalon Mountain Estate Merlot 1998Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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- W&S
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Rabbit Ridge Sangiacomo Vineyard Merlot 1998Merlot from Carneros, California
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Bonterra Organically Grown Merlot 1998Merlot from North Coast, California
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