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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Château Pétrus 2020 Pomerol
BordeauxWonderfully aromatic, this wine offers ripe tannins that give the appearance of ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$4900 -
Masseto 2019 Massetino Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyDense fruit and woody, medicinal notes brood on the nose of this ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$350 -
Assiduous 2021 Kells Vineyard Merlot (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastJoyous aromas of cherry, dark strawberry and black plum are edged by ...See Full Review$25 -
Querceto di Castellina 2019 Podalirio Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyA classic Old World nose starts with tar, leather and pencil shavings ...See Full Review$45 -
Château les Grandes Murailles 2020 Saint-Émilion
BordeauxThis tiny vineyard of less than five acres in the shadow of ...See Full Review$50 -
Firestone 2019 The Chairman Series Merlot (Santa Ynez Valley)
Central CoastThis estate-grown bottling is warm and cohesive on the nose, showing blackberry ...See Full Review$46 -
Long Meadow Ranch 2018 Estate Grown Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaNervy and savory, this medium-bodied wine mingles bay laurel, raspberry, tobacco and ...See Full Review$50 -
Ultimate Vineyards 2020 Estate Reserve Merlot (Temecula Valley)
South CoastThis newer brand on an older estate is making solid wines, and ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$45 -
Marchesi Antinori 2020 Cont'Ugo Tenuta Guado Al Tasso (Bolgheri)
TuscanySpicy and peppery on the nose with new leather and graphite, this ...See Full Review$36 -
Integrity 2019 Merlot (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastThis is a comforting style of Merlot, offering plump aromas of plum, ...See Full Review$62 -
Riecine 2018 TreSette Merlot Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyViolets, raspberries and passion fruit on the nose of this Tuscan Merlot ...See Full Review$90 -
La Regola 2017 Strido Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyA rich nose offers vanilla, spices, red cherries, milk chocolate, soil and ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Le Forconate 2017 Nove Legni Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyA warm blend of vanilla and spices on the stove wafts off ...See Full Review$83 -
Petra 2020 Quercegobbe Merlot (Toscana)
TuscanyThe nose on this Tuscan Merlot is all umami at first. Mushrooms, ...See Full Review$45 -
Rombauer 2019 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaClear, direct fruit flavors such as red cherries and cranberries are nicely ...See Full Review$48 -
J. McClelland 2019 Merlot (Napa Valley)
NapaA textbook Merlot. Earth and bay-leaf nuances complement a rich core of ...See Full Review$40 -
Château Mayne-Vieil 2020 Cuvée Aliénor (Fronsac)
BordeauxRich and texturally opulent, this dense Merlot offers black fruit and dark ...See Full Review$24 -
Château Mayne-Vieil 2020 Fronsac
BordeauxThis smooth, black-fruit-flavored wine is rich in softening tannins. Acidity and spice ...Best BuySee Full Review$17 -
Parducci 2021 Small Lot Merlot (Mendocino County)
Mendocino CountyThis varietal Merlot is decadent without being overbearing; indulgent without being guilty. ...Best BuySee Full Review$18 -
Château la Douce 2020 Médoc
BordeauxA complete wine, this has all the elements in place. It is ...Best BuySee Full Review$20
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