
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.
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Vintner Select Merlot 2009Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Summercloud Merlot 2009Merlot from Mendocino, California
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Brass Tacks Merlot 2009Merlot from Central Coast, California
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Switchback Ridge Peterson Family Vineyard Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Les Jamelles Merlot - Vins de Pays D'Oc 2009Merlot from Pays d’Oc, South of France, France
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Pahlmeyer Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Mt. Brave Merlot 2009Merlot from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
- WE
- RP
- W&S
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Ornellaia Masseto 2009Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2009Merlot from Chile
- WE
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Buccella Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Folie a Deux Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot (375ML half-bottle) 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot 2009Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WE
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Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Grgich Hills Estate Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Vineyard Merlot 2009Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
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Franciscan Estate Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Brandolini Vistorta 2009Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
- WS
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Frog's Leap Merlot (3 Liter Bottle) 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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Valley Legend Napa Valley Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Leese-Fitch Merlot 2009Merlot from California
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Frog's Leap Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- W&S
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World's End Little Sister Reserve Merlot 2009Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS