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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Grassini Family Vineyards 2018 Merlot (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)
Central CoastBlack-cherry and light clove aromas meet with a delicately layered wood-spice array ...See Full Review$80 -
Schiefer & Domaines Kilger 2017 M Merlot (Burgenland)
AustriaIntensely ripe visions of plum and blackberry fill the nose immediately while ...See Full Review$43 -
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La Jota Vineyard 2017 Merlot (Howell Mountain)
NapaThis well-integrated, complex and structured wine from the mountain appellation is substantial ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$90 -
Duckhorn 2017 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaThis wine from a famous vineyard delivers brightly layered red fruit, crushed ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$110 -
Peloton 2017 Lunacy Vineyard Merlot (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDark-cherry and berry aromas meet with baking spice, cola and cedar on ...See Full Review$43 -
Château les Arromans 2018 Prestige (Bordeaux)
BordeauxDense, ripe Merlot has produced a richly fruity wine that still has ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$23 -
Château Beynat 2019 Cuvée des Lyres (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux)
BordeauxFrom a small parcel of less than an acre, this dense wine ...See Full Review$30 -
Château Suau 2018 L'Artolie (Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux)
BordeauxFrom a densely planted Merlot vineyard, this powerfully rich wine has big ...See Full Review$60 -
Château des Rochers 2018 Vin Biodynamique (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux)
BordeauxOn the slopes above the city of Castillon, this vineyard has produced ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$18 -
Bouchaine 2018 Hyde Vineyard Merlot (Carneros)
Napa-SonomaFrom the famous site known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this wine ...See Full Review$90 -
Clos Fontaine 2018 Premier Vin (Francs Côtes de Bordeaux)
BordeauxThis small property is owned by members of the Thienpont family, who ...See Full Review$25 -
Château Mercier 2018 Atmosphère (Côtes de Bourg)
BordeauxBottled without added sulfur, this wine is dense and concentrated, but with ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$20 -
Château Brethous 2018 Cuvée Prestige (Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux)
BordeauxA year of barrel aging and a selection of the estate's best ...See Full Review$25 -
Flora Springs 2017 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaThis is a smooth, leathery and big-boned wine, firm in tannin and ...See Full Review$35 -
Darioush 2017 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaThis thick, syrupy wine has a velvety concentration to its richness of ...See Full Review$62 -
Château des Landes 2018 Cuvée Prestige (Lussac Saint-Émilion)
BordeauxProduced from the oldest vines in the vineyard, this wine has weight ...See Full Review$33 -
Zantho 2018 Reserve Merlot (Burgenland)
AustriaDespite much swirling, this wine's nose remains shy. The palate then sweeps ...See Full Review$30 -
Château Taureau 2018 Lussac Saint-Émilion
BordeauxWell balanced between wood aging, tannins and ripe black fruits, this is ...See Full Review$29 -
Château Mayne-Vieil 2018 Fronsac
BordeauxA bold, ripe and smoky wine, this is dense and concentrated. Firm ...See Full Review$16 -
Decoy 2018 Merlot (Sonoma County)
SonomaThis is a French oak-aged, plush and approachable red made from a ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$25
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