
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends147
- Cabernet Sauvignon107
- Syrah/Shiraz95
- Nebbiolo77
- Sangiovese60
- Pinot Noir49
- Tempranillo41
- Other Red Blends40
- Rhône Blends28
- Merlot22
- Malbec17
- Tuscan Blends11
- Grenache9
- Zinfandel6
- Cabernet Franc4
- Aglianico2
- Bonarda2
- Carmenere2
- Nero d'Avola2
- Petite Sirah2
- Barbera1
- Corvina1
- Mourvedre1
- Other Red Wine1
- Pinotage1
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2004Merlot from North Coast, California
- WS
- WE
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Leonetti Merlot 2004Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
- RP
- WE
- WS
Regular priceCurrently Unavailable $109.97109 97109 97Save $0.00 (0%) -
Pahlmeyer Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- CG
- WS
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O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Merlot 2004Merlot from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana 2004Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Novelty Hill Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Snoqualmie Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WE
- WS
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Hogue Genesis Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Shafer Napa Valley Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Pedestal Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- CG
- RP
- WS
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Le Macchiole Messorio 2004Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
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Chappellet Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
- WE
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Pride Mountain Vineyards Vintner Select Merlot 2004Merlot from Sonoma County, California
- WE
- WS
- CG
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Duckhorn Estate Grown Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WE
- WS
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Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Chateau Moulin Pey-Labrie 2004Merlot from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Sebastiani Alexander Valley Merlot 2004Merlot from Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
- WS
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Luna Vineyards Merlot 2004Merlot from Napa Valley, California
- WS
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Waterbrook Reserve Merlot 2004Merlot from Columbia Valley, Washington
- WS
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Ornellaia Masseto 2004Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
- RP
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Petrolo Galatrona 2004Merlot from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
- RP
- W&S
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Maculan Crosara Breganze 2004Merlot from Veneto, Italy
- RP
- WS