
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 Noir1963
- Cabernet Sauvignon1829
- Other Red Blends1541
- Syrah/Shiraz1193
- Bordeaux Red Blends1057
- Rhône Blends791
- Sangiovese674
- Merlot634
- Nebbiolo526
- Zinfandel518
- Tempranillo442
- Other Red Wine313
- Malbec206
- Cabernet Franc172
- Barbera171
- Petite Sirah165
- Grenache145
- Tuscan Blends84
- Gamay51
- Pinotage49
- Carmenere46
- Mourvedre45
- Dolcetto42
- Primitivo42
- Montepulciano38
- Aglianico37
- Nero d'Avola35
- Sagrantino28
- Blaufrankisch23
- Petit Verdot19
- Mencia17
- Lagrein14
- Carignan13
- Bonarda11
- Negroamaro11
- Touriga Nacional10
- St. Laurent10
- Teroldego9
- Refosco7
- Zweigelt6
- Tannat4
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Lambrusco1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Baga1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Mondeuse1
- Nerello Mascalese1
- Trousseau1
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot 2007Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Gordon Brothers Merlot 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Indaba Merlot 2007Merlot from South Africa
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Tangley Oaks Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Kris Heart Merlot 2007Merlot from Sicily, Italy
- WE
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St. Francis Merlot 2007Merlot from Sonoma County, California
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Santa Ema Reserve Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
- RP
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Pedestal Merlot 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Veramonte Merlot Reserva 2007Merlot from Chile
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Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
- WE
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Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Grgich Hills Estate Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Mollydooker The Scooter Merlot 2007Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
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Whitehall Lane Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Le Macchiole Messorio 2007Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- WS
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Cousino Macul Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
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Brass Tacks Merlot 2007Merlot from Central Coast, California
- WE
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Clarendon Hills Brookman Merlot 2007Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WE
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Montes Alpha Series Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
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Luna Vineyards Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Wente Sandstone Merlot 2007Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Parducci Merlot 2007Merlot from North Coast, California
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Whitehall Lane Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Snoqualmie Naked Merlot 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington