
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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Behrens & Hitchcock Las Amigas Merlot Oakville 2000Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Ornellaia Masseto 2000Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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- RP
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Chateau St. Jean Merlot 2000Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Jade Mountain Paras Vineyard Merlot (1.5 Liter) 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Provenance Vineyards Carneros Merlot (1.5 Liter) 2000Merlot from Carneros, California
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Meerlust Merlot 2000Merlot from South Africa
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Fortant Merlot (OU Kosher) 2000Merlot from Pays d’Oc, South of France, France
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Mezzacorona Merlot 2000Merlot from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Beringer Napa Valley Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Veramonte Merlot 2000Merlot from Chile
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Buena Vista Merlot 2000Merlot from California
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Crosspoint Paso Rolbes Merlot 2000Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Danzante Merlot 2000Merlot from Italy
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Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2000Merlot from Chile
- RP
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Jacob's Creek Merlot 2000Merlot from Australia
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Clos Du Val Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Vichon Merlot 2000Merlot from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Alfasi Merlot (OU Kosher) 2000Merlot from Chile
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Columbia Winery Merlot 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Beaulieu Vineyard BV Coastal Estates Merlot 2000Merlot from California
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Clos Du Val Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Columbia Crest Reserve Merlot 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Merlot 2000Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Snoqualmie Reserve Merlot 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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