Merlot
In Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, on Bordeaux's famed 'Right Bank,' some of the finest examples of Merlot in the world are made. It's the grape's spiritual home, but Merlot is also easily adaptable to many different environments. Today you can also find this much-loved variety in the United States, Italy, Romania, Australia, Chile, South Africa and most other winemaking countries.
Merlot is deep purple in color and generally known for its smoothness, forest fruit aromas and flavors of plums and black currants. When barrel-aged, it often has even more silken richness as well as oaky characteristics reminiscent of tobacco and spices. Merlot also makes delicious rosés, usually full of ripe berry flavors.
Supple, soft and velvety even when young, Merlot is often used to soften more tannic varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
Signature Style
Succulent and silky with ripe plum and red currant flavors
Wines to Try
Pétrus, De Loach Private Collection, The Rescue Block, Le Grand Chai Bordeaux
Principal Regions
Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany, Maipo, Hawkes Bay
Synonyms
Merlot Noir, Médoc Noir
- Château Pétrus, one of Bordeaux's most famous wines whose prices exceed $1,000 a bottle, is almost exclusively crafted from Merlot.
- Merlot is the most planted variety in Bordeaux.
- If you like Merlot, you might also like: Carmenère - long mistaken for Merlot in Chile. Montepulciano - another soft, plummy red grown in Italy.
