
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 Sauvignon194
- Pinot Noir167
- Bordeaux Red Blends101
- Other Red Blends92
- Nebbiolo49
- Tempranillo45
- Rhône Blends39
- Syrah/Shiraz37
- Sangiovese33
- Merlot31
- Malbec26
- Zinfandel23
- Cabernet Franc17
- Tuscan Blends12
- Grenache11
- Gamay7
- Barbera5
- Other Red Wine5
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- Bonarda2
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- Nerello Mascalese2
- Aglianico1
- Cinsault1
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- Primitivo1
- Touriga Nacional1
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- Freisa1
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Markham Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Silverado Mt. George Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Keenan Napa Valley Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Mt. Brave Merlot 2018Merlot from Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California
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Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2018Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Sansonina Merlot 2018Merlot from Verona, Veneto, Italy
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Frank Family Vineyards Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Novelty Hill Merlot 2018Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Lava Cap Merlot 2018Merlot from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
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Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot 2018Merlot from California
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Gainey Merlot 2018Merlot from Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
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Acre Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Guenoc California Merlot 2018Merlot from California
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Cousino Macul Merlot 2018Merlot from Chile
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Substance Vineyard Collection Stoneridge Merlot 2018Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Trentadue La Storia Merlot 2018Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Kenwood North Coast Merlot 2018Merlot from North Coast, California
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Snowden Lost Vineyard Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Paradigm Merlot 2018Merlot from Oakville, Napa Valley, California
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Downes Family Vineyards Merlot 2018Merlot from Elgin, South Africa
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Peju Winery Legacy Collection Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Chasing Rain Merlot 2018Merlot from
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Miner Family Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot 2018Merlot from Napa Valley, California
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Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot 2018Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
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