
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.
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Marilyn Napa Valley Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Falesco Montiano 1999Merlot from Italy
- RP
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Atalon Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Chateau Julien Merlot 1999Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Andretti Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Wente Merlot 1999Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Bulletin Place Merlot 1999Merlot from Australia
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DeLoach California Merlot 1999Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Fetzer Barrel Select Merlot 1999Merlot from North Coast, California
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St. Supery Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Marilyn Norma Jeane Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Tarapaca Merlot 1999Merlot from Chile
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Rodney Strong Sonoma Merlot 1999Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Sterling Napa Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Wente Crane Ridge Merlot 1999Merlot from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Canyon Road Merlot 1999Merlot from California
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Maculan Brentino di Breganze Merlot 1999Merlot from Italy
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Fetzer Eagle Peak Merlot 1999Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Rutherford Hill Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Barton & Guestier Merlot 1999Merlot from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Brancott Marlborough Reserve Merlot 1999Merlot from Marlborough, New Zealand
- WE
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Burgess Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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San Telmo Merlot 1999Merlot from Argentina
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Luna Vineyards Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Inglenook Estate Merlot 1999Merlot from Napa Valley, California