
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 Sauvignon164
- Pinot Noir148
- Other Red Blends69
- Bordeaux Red Blends57
- Syrah/Shiraz39
- Rhône Blends32
- Merlot29
- Sangiovese18
- Malbec16
- Zinfandel15
- Tempranillo14
- Nebbiolo13
- Tuscan Blends10
- Grenache8
- Cabernet Franc7
- Nero d'Avola5
- Barbera4
- Bonarda2
- Carignan2
- Mourvedre2
- Other Red Wine2
- Aglianico1
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Gamay1
- Lagrein1
- Montepulciano1
- Petite Sirah1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Mencia1
- Nerello Mascalese1
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Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
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Markham Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot 2017Merlot from Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
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Masseto 2017Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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Silverado Mt. George Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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GEN5 Merlot 2017Merlot from Clarksburg, Yolo County, California
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Whitehall Lane Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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L'Ecole 41 Estate Merlot 2017Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Rombauer Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Nickel & Nickel Bear Flat Merlot 2017Merlot from Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California
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St. Francis Reserve Merlot 2017Merlot from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain Merlot 2017Merlot from Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
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Milbrandt Traditions Merlot 2017Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Novelty Hill Merlot 2017Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Annabella Merlot 2017Merlot from California
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Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Keenan Napa Valley Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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L'Ecole 41 Columbia Valley Merlot 2017Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Hall Napa Valley Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Venica & Venica Collio Perilla Merlot 2017Merlot from Collio Goriziano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
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Gainey Merlot 2017Merlot from Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Substance Vineyard Collection Northridge Merlot 2017Merlot from Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Wild & Wilder The Exhibitionist Merlot 2017Merlot from Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
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The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot 2017Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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