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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Georges Vigouroux 2018 Château de Mercuès (Cahors)
Southwest FranceThe Mercuès vineyard surrounds its hilltop chateau, now a luxury hotel. This ...See Full Review$25 -
Château Vincens 2019 Cuvée Prestige (Cahors)
Southwest FranceThis big, generous wine is full of dense tannins that promise long-term ...See Full Review$25 -
DeLille 2019 Le Colosse Merlot (Yakima Valley)
Columbia ValleyThis is a blend of fruit from top sites Boushey, Harrison Hill ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$65 -
Château Eugénie 2019 Tsar Pierre le Grand (Cahors)
Southwest FranceAged in wood for a year, this smoothly textured wine is ripe ...See Full Review$40 -
Brander 2019 Estate Merlot (Los Olivos District)
Central CoastBlackberry jam aromas are generous, juicy and playful on the nose of ...See Full Review$40 -
Moss Brothers 2019 Cabernet-Merlot (Western Australia)
Western AustraliaThis is a bold yet approachable Cab-Merlot with heaps of regional character. ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Harewood Estate 2018 Cabernet-Merlot (Great Southern)
Western AustraliaFrom Western Australia's deep south, this Cab-Merlot blend offers fresh fruit and ...See Full Review$25 -
Château de Gaudou 2018 Grande Lignée Malbec-Merlot (Cahors)
Southwest FranceDense with rich tannins, this wine shows off black fruits and a ...Best BuySee Full Review$12 -
Château Nozières 2019 Ambroise de l'Her (Cahors)
Southwest FranceTannins still dominate this richly structured wine. Its ripe black fruits are ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$20 -
Château Vincens 2020 Cuvée Prestige (Cahors)
Southwest FranceSpicy aromas offering rich berry fruits give this dense, luxurious wine its ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$22 -
Broadside 2019 Merlot (Paso Robles)
Central CoastSmashed cranberry and tobacco leaf show on the slightly funky nose of ...See Full Review$18 -
Domaine Guillaman 2018 Les Hauts de Guillaman Merlot (Côtes de Gascogne)
Southwest FranceWood aged for over a year, this rich Merlot has a dense ...See Full Review$20 -
Temperance 2018 McGinley Vineyard Merlot (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)
Central CoastSubtle aromas of cherry, smoke and light herb are pleasant if simple ...See Full Review$38 -
Château Lamartine 2019 Cahors
Southwest FrancePartially wood aged, this wine is an opening salvo from this producer. ...See Full Review$20 -
Château Amandine 2019 Montagne-Saint-Émilion
BordeauxA ripe wine, this has layers of black fruits sustained by vanilla ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$20 -
Château la Vignolle 2020 Bordeaux
BordeauxSmooth and ripe, this is a dense, all-Merlot wine. It is concentrated, ...Best BuySee Full Review$13 -
Oak Grove 2020 Family Reserve Merlot (California)
California OtherSmooth and almost sweet, this medium-bodied wine offers decent plum, woodsmoke and ...Best BuySee Full Review$9 -
Happy Camper 2020 Merlot (California)
California OtherMellow and smooth, this medium- to full-bodied wine shows mulled cherry flavors, ...Best BuySee Full Review$9 -
Castello di Ama 2018 L'Apparita Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyOne of the rare instances where Merlot excels in Tuscany, this gorgeous ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Larkmead 2019 Firebelle Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaCombining 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot from the property, this is ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$100
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