
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 Sauvignon1045
- Pinot Noir869
- Syrah/Shiraz757
- Other Red Blends710
- Bordeaux Red Blends608
- Merlot401
- Sangiovese344
- Tempranillo338
- Nebbiolo301
- Rhône Blends289
- Zinfandel241
- Other Red Wine133
- Barbera88
- Grenache85
- Malbec72
- Petite Sirah70
- Cabernet Franc57
- Tuscan Blends54
- Gamay26
- Mourvedre26
- Aglianico19
- Dolcetto16
- Pinotage16
- Montepulciano12
- Nero d'Avola12
- Primitivo12
- Carmenere9
- Sagrantino9
- Negroamaro7
- Bonarda5
- Petit Verdot5
- Lagrein4
- Carignan3
- Touriga Nacional3
- Refosco3
- Teroldego3
- Tannat2
- Valdiguie2
- Mencia2
- St. Laurent2
- Corvina1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Gaglioppo1
- Nerello Mascalese1
- Xinomavro1
- Zweigelt1
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Leonetti Merlot 2004Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2004Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 2004Merlot from North Coast, California
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Marco Felluga Collio Merlot Varneri 2004Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Raymond Reserve Selection Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Wente Merlot 2004Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Bodegas Nekeas Merlot 2004Merlot from Spain
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Torres Atrium 2004Merlot from Spain
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Yalumba Y Series Merlot 2004Merlot from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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Miner Family Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ravenswood Sonoma Merlot 2004Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Merlot 2004Merlot from Chile
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Stags' Leap Winery Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Ferrari-Carano Merlot 2004Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Swanson Oakville Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2004Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Turnbull Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- CG
- WS
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Baobab Merlot 2004Merlot from South Africa
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Sterling Napa Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Waterbrook Reserve Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Grgich Hills Estate Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Swanson Oakville Merlot 2004Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE