
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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Christian Moueix Merlot 2000Merlot from Bordeaux, France
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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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Dom. St. George Merlot 2000Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Robert Mondavi Napa Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ornellaia Masseto 2000Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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Lapostolle Merlot 2000Merlot from Chile
- WS
- RP
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Mezzacorona Merlot 2000Merlot from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Buena Vista Merlot 2000Merlot from California
- WE
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Crosspoint Paso Rolbes Merlot 2000Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2000Merlot from Chile
- RP
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Barton & Guestier Merlot 2000Merlot from Languedoc, South of France, France
- WE
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Vichon Merlot 2000Merlot from Languedoc, South of France, France
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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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Rosemount Diamond Merlot 2000Merlot from Australia
- WS
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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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Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2000Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Columbia Crest Reserve Merlot 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Clos Du Val Merlot 2000Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Snoqualmie Reserve Merlot 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Merlot 2000Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Caliterra Merlot 2000Merlot from Chile
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Leonetti Merlot (loose foil capsule) 2000Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
- WE