
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.
- Pinot Noir1953
- Cabernet Sauvignon1815
- Other Red Blends1547
- Syrah/Shiraz1195
- Bordeaux Red Blends1047
- Rhône Blends780
- Sangiovese675
- Merlot634
- Nebbiolo526
- Zinfandel519
- Tempranillo439
- Other Red Wine316
- Malbec207
- Barbera171
- Cabernet Franc171
- Petite Sirah164
- Grenache145
- Tuscan Blends83
- Gamay51
- Pinotage49
- Carmenere47
- Mourvedre44
- Dolcetto42
- Primitivo42
- Montepulciano38
- Aglianico36
- Nero d'Avola36
- Sagrantino28
- Blaufrankisch23
- Petit Verdot19
- Lagrein15
- Mencia15
- Carignan13
- Bonarda11
- Negroamaro11
- Touriga Nacional10
- St. Laurent10
- Teroldego9
- Refosco7
- Zweigelt6
- Tannat4
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Lambrusco1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Baga1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Mondeuse1
- Trousseau1
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- RP
- WS
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Indaba Merlot 2007Merlot from South Africa
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Fantinel Celebrate Life Merlot 2007Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- W&S
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Whitehall Lane Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Mirassou Merlot 2007Merlot from California
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Cousino Macul Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
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Kris Heart Merlot 2007Merlot from Sicily, Italy
- WE
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Le Macchiole Messorio 2007Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WE
- WS
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Montes Alpha Series Merlot 2007Merlot from Chile
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Clarendon Hills Brookman Merlot 2007Merlot from McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
- RP
- WE
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BV Century Cellars Merlot 2007Merlot from California
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Kendall-Jackson Highland Estates Taylor Peak Merlot 2007Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot 2007Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- RP
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Houdini Oakville Merlot 2007Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Montevina Merlot 2007Merlot from California
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Monthaven Winery Merlot (3 Liter Octavin Home Wine Bar) 2007Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Stone Cellars Merlot 2007Merlot from California
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Castle Rock Napa Merlot 2007Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Cupcake Vineyards Merlot 2007Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Brandolini Vistorta 2007Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
- WS
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Sagelands Merlot Four Corners 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Snoqualmie Merlot 2007Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
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Swanson Oakville Merlot 2007Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Veramonte Merlot Reserva 2007Merlot from Chile