Merlot
Merlot is a red grape grown throughout the world, but most often associated with the fine wines of Bordeaux, particularly in the right bank regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
In the vineyard, Merlot ripens early and its grapes are large and thin-skinned. It is susceptible to frost, rot, downy mildew and coloure (shot berries). Merlot wines tend to be plump and full bodied, with soft fruit flavors.
Merlot is the progeny of two grapes, Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes. Cabernet Franc is also a parent of the Cabernet Sauvignon, which may help to explain how the flavor profiles of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux wines can often be so similar.
Interestingly, the popularity and production of Merlot in the USA was seriously impacted with the release of the 2004 film Sideways. Throughout the film, the main character passionately extolled the virtues that Pinot Noir held over Merlot. The resulting “Sideways Effect” led to a global shortage of Pinot Noir on the bulk wine market, and turned many consumers and producers away from Merlot, especially in California. After a decade, however, the Sideways Effect has subsided, and consumers are returning to appreciating the grape and the high-quality domestic wines made from it.
Bordeaux
In Bordeaux, Merlot is blended alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Franc. The Merlot grape is at its very best in the fine wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol on Bordeaux’s right bank. This subregion, also known as the Libournais, is home to a host of appellations that make Merlot-dominant wines—including Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol and various Saint-Émilion “satellite” appellations, like Puisseguin Saint-Émilion and Montagne Saint-Émilion. Merlot tends to dominate the blends in these wines, and is more often blended with Cabernet Franc than Cabernet Sauvignon. Pomerol superstars like Petrus, Le Pin and Lafleur are some of the finest (and certainly most expensive) expressions of Merlot in the world, as are the wines from top Saint-Émilion estates like Ausone, Pavie and Angélus, among others.
Global Production
Outside of Bordeaux, Merlot is grown widely throughout the southwest of France, often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Languedoc, Merlot is very popular in the everyday wines of the Pays d’Oc IGP, while it is also permitted in the AOP wines of Cabardès and Malepère.
Merlot is common in Italy, notably in regions like Friuli, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto.
Elsewhere in Europe, Merlot is cultivated in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia and Slovenia and Switzerland, to mention just a few.
In the new world, Merlot is grown in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, Uruguay and the U.S., among others.
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Thacher 2019 Casagrande Vineyards Merlot (Paso Robles)
Central CoastCrunchy boysenberry aromas are dusted in anise on the nose of this ...See Full Review$65 -
Lapostolle 2020 Cuvée Alexandre Merlot (Apalta)
ChileLight notes of black olive along aromas of plum shape a delicate ...See Full Review$22 -
Captûre 2019 Estate Vineyard Merlot (Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak)
SonomaThis concentrated and complete wine offers luscious dark cherries, red plums, dark ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$65 -
La Casaccia Di Franceschi 2019 San Leopoldo Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Rosso di Toscana)
TuscanyThis Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend from Montalcino shows what exciting surprises ...See Full Review$110 -
La Casaccia Di Franceschi 2019 San Leopoldo Merlot (Rosso di Toscana)
TuscanyThis 100% Merlot from a much-celebrated subzone of Montalcino delivers an alluring ...See Full Review$110 -
Cuvaison 2019 Arcilla Estate Grown Merlot (Carneros-Napa Valley)
NapaDeep, rich and well polished, this complex wine offers a winning combination ...See Full Review$70 -
Duckhorn 2019 Rector Creek Vineyard Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaLots of the classic notes of red plum and dark plum and ...See Full Review$105 -
Trig Point 2020 Diamond Dust Vineyard Merlot (Alexander Valley)
SonomaWhiffs of green olive, black pepper and earth complement bold dark plum, ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$25 -
Medlock Ames 2019 Yarrow Merlot (Alexander Valley)
SonomaMeaty for a Merlot, this full-bodied and robust wine offers charcoal, black ...See Full Review$70 -
Raymond 2019 Reserve Collection Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaGorgeous fruit flavors and tempting chocolate accents draw you in to this ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$25 -
Burtech Family 2019 Merlot (Sonoma Valley)
SonomaThis broad-textured, generously fruity wine is topped with seductive oak spices of ...See Full Review$58 -
Pope Valley Winery 2019 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaLight toasted-oak notes highlight this rich, velvety wine. It brings red cherries, ...See Full Review$48 -
Taub Family Vineyards 2018 Merlot (Oakville)
NapaRaspberry and red-cherry aromas meet darker plum and black-cherry flavors in this ...See Full Review$100 -
Bouchaine 2019 Hyde Vineyard Merlot (Carneros-Napa Valley)
NapaThis broad-textured and ripe-tasting wine boasts deep blackberry and blueberry flavors on ...See Full Review$195 -
Duckhorn 2019 Merlot (Carneros-Napa Valley)
NapaAfter a scent of cherries, raspberries and flowers, a velvety texture of ...See Full Review$80 -
Taub Family Vineyards 2019 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaWell structured for continued aging, this moderately tannic and full-bodied wine is ...See Full Review$100 -
Château Jacques Noir 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThe estate, on the Saint-Émilion plain to the east of the appellation, ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$40 -
Château Plaisance 2020 Réserve de Famille (Montagne-Saint-Émilion)
BordeauxStructured while still fruity, this is a dense wine. Its acidity and ...See Full Review$60 -
Succession 2020 Merlot (Columbia Valley (WA))
Columbia ValleySweet blackberries and jasmine aromas do a lazy waltz with notes of ...See Full Review$45 -
Château Jacques Noir 2020 Réserve de Famille (Saint-Émilion)
BordeauxDark-cocoa flavors and bold black fruits characterize this rich and dense wine. ...See Full Review$80
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