
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.
- Pinot Noir1545
- Cabernet Sauvignon1412
- Bordeaux Red Blends1079
- Syrah/Shiraz996
- Other Red Blends958
- Merlot528
- Rhône Blends462
- Tempranillo411
- Zinfandel354
- Sangiovese312
- Nebbiolo296
- Other Red Wine170
- Cabernet Franc103
- Grenache102
- Malbec102
- Petite Sirah82
- Barbera75
- Gamay49
- Tuscan Blends48
- Mourvedre37
- Pinotage29
- Carmenere23
- Nero d'Avola23
- Dolcetto21
- Montepulciano18
- Aglianico17
- Primitivo15
- Sagrantino10
- Bonarda8
- Petit Verdot8
- Negroamaro7
- Refosco7
- Carignan6
- Touriga Nacional5
- Mencia5
- Lagrein4
- Teroldego4
- Nerello Mascalese3
- St. Laurent3
- Tannat2
- Agiorgitiko2
- Corvina1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Baga1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Bobal1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Mondeuse1
- Xinomavro1
- Zweigelt1
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Christian Moueix Merlot 2005Merlot from Bordeaux, France
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Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Merlot 2005Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Penley Estate Gryphon Merlot 2005Merlot from Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Whitehall Lane Merlot (half-bottle) 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Clarendon Hills Brookman Merlot 2005Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- WS
- RP
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Matanzas Creek Sonoma County Merlot 2005Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Ecco Domani Merlot 2005Merlot from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Vineyard Merlot 2005Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Raphael Merlot 2005Merlot from New York, Other U.S.
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Beringer Third Century Merlot 2005Merlot from North Coast, California
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Merlot from North Coast, California
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Vendange NV Merlot 2005Merlot from California
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Newton Unfiltered Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
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Luna Vineyards Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Lapostolle Merlot 2005Merlot from Chile
- WE
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Rombauer Merlot 2005Merlot from Carneros, California
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Clos Du Val Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Rutherford Hill Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Concannon Selected Vineyards Merlot 2005Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Franciscan Estate Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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J. Garcia Merlot 2005Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Ornellaia Masseto 2005Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Hestan Vineyards Stephanie Merlot 2005Merlot from Napa Valley, California