Merlot
With Cabernet Franc, famous as a blending partner for Cabernet Sauvignon, but much more widely planted in Bordeaux than either. Merlot conventionally makes lush, plummy, velvety wine that can soften Cabernet's more austere frame and, usefully, matures much faster. Very much a wine of the times, it enjoyed enormous popularity in the United States in the 1990s and early 2000s - until usurped by Pinot Noir thanks to the so-called "Sideways" effect.
Merlot's homeland is Bordeaux where it is the most important ingredient in most wines qualifying for the basic Bordeaux appellation. But you have to go right up the quality scale here to see Merlot in all its French glory. It may be a luscious, mouth-filling, velvety, plummy, intense Pomerol that can often be positively meaty, almost bloody. Or, typically blended with a bit of Cabernet Franc, it may make up the lion's share of a Saint-Émilion which is similar but is a little leaner and has more of the rich fruit cake, mineral and torrefaction about it. Merlot tends to be noticeably lower in tannins and acidity than Cabernet, which makes it much more voluptuous to taste and, on the palate, provides lots of fruity impact in the middle to fill in the hole left by the tough, tannic framework of young Cabernet Sauvignon. Despite Merlot's reputation as the user-friendly, early maturing wine, the best of these wines can continue to develop in bottle for decades, and I have been lucky enough to taste a mid 19th century Château Ausone at the château that was as lively as the then chatelaine herself.
Merlot, like the Cabernets, is widely grown throughout south west France, notably in Bergerac and in Cahors where it is the common blending partner of Malbec. It is also very widely planted in the Languedoc where it can make juicy, plump IGP wines (generally more successful than Cabernet Sauvignon). Just like Merlot the wine, Merlot the vine ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is less resistant to rot and, if the weather is poor during flowering, can easily suffer from uneven fruit set. It is conventionally but by no means exclusively associated with damp, clay soils.
Much of the world's Merlot is grown in France, but it is also widely grown in north-east Italy, particularly in Friuli where it can make plumper wines than the prevailing Cabernet. Quality varies from basic light red varietals to rich, dense barrique-aged wines, often blended with Cabernet and/or Sangiovese. (This observation is also true of the Merlots produced in Switzerland's Italian Ticino.) Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova also grown significant quantities of Merlot, which can be difficult to distinguish in terms of wine quality, from their Cabernet.
Merlot has been planted at a lick in both North and South America. It has a proven track record in Washington state where its charms are attractively balanced by crisp acidity and good colour.
In California, its fruity charms have been extremely popular when served up as a varietal wine and it is also a popular ingredient in Meritage blends. Its reputation suffered, however, from the very ordinary quality and excessive sweetness of California Merlot at its most basic, as a sort of red Chardonnay. The proposition when California Merlot hit the American market in the early 1990s was basically that this was Cabernet without the pain, a red wine offering the classic nobility of a Bordeaux grape but without the austere tannins. American Merlot's crucial characteristic is not its flavour but its texture which can be, and frequently is, described in one word - smooth. This is a wine to caress the palate, a wine that inspired that great new word in American wine jargon, "mouthfeel".
What enabled this of course was the Californian climate. There was no argument, as in Bordeaux, about whether Merlot grapes would ripen fully. The grapes would, in the best examples, be picked as late as possible to achieve full, "physiological" ripeness, picked not according analyses of their sugar and acid content but by whether the grapes had started to shrivel and their stalks to turn brown and woody. Some of California's finest Merlot producers are Duckhorn, Harrison, Havens, Matanzas Creek, St Francis and Silverado Vineyard, but their wines are in a different stratosphere from the average example which is simply red and sweetish. Merlot has been an undoubted hit with the American public (as witness its phenomenal recent expansion in California's vineyards), even if Californian producers find it so much harder to understand than their beloved Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chile has already found its own perfect spot for Merlot, Apalta in Colchagua, and the best-made examples combine California gloss with even more obvious fruit. Chilean Merlot is rarely as alcoholic and "thick" as the California prototype, but it often has the appetising aroma of a red Bordeaux without being quite as weedy/slight/puny.
Argentina's Merlot has a less distinct identity - indeed almost all Argentine red already has inbuilt ripeness thanks to the climate, and so there is little need to augment this with a particularly ripe tasting variety.
Although Merlot is grown as a blending partner for Cabernet in Australia and New Zealand, few varietal wines of real distinction have emerged, although surely they will. South Africa has already shown just how gorgeous an oak-aged Merlot ripened in a relatively warm climate can be. Merlot is now widely planted in China too.
By Jancis Robinson
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£12.04
Astoria Il Puro Merlot
Astoria ViniAstoria Il Puro Merlot has intense aromas of red berries and spice that give into a full and generous palate with supple structure. The finish is l...
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£15.17
Astoria 'el Ruden' Veneto Rosso I.G.T.
Astoria ViniHigh quality and slightly unusual! Ruden in Venetian dialect means rust, hence the colour of the label. It is a blend of equal quantities of Merlot...
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£9.60
Vega Badenes Tempranillo/Merlot/Syrah
Vega BadenesThis unique blend from Vega Badenes works extremely well and here they have produced a light red, full of red berry character that is an admirable ...
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£10.94
Domaine Horgelus Cotes de Gascogne Rosé
Domaine HorgelusAn intense and complex bouquet of sweet wild strawberries, citrus fruits and fresh, juicy blackcurrants lead into a smooth and thirst-quenching pal...
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£12.62
Château Du Barry Bordeaux Rouge
Château Du BarryChateau Du Barry has a saturated garnet colour that borders on purple-blue. The nose is elegant and powerful, delivering gingerbread, vanilla, and ...
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£11.36
Domaine Horgelus , Rouge de Gala Cotes de Gascogne
Domaine HorgelusThis Domaine Horgelus red wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat, the latter being a local grape variety making r...
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£15.88
Ronan by Clinet - Bordeaux Rouge 2018
petits chateaux bordeauxWhat a superb little wine! This is 100% Merlot from a variety of appellations on the north bank of the estuary are handled with extreme care and at...
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£35.18
Rust En Vrede Estate Wine
Rust En VredeThe 2016 Rust En Vrede Estate Wine is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Shiraz and 11% Merlot. It is a deep crimson red, with aromas of tobacc...
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£10.54
Sol De Andes Merlot
Sol De AndesSol De Andes Merlot is bursting with fresh red fruit aromas, especially raspberry and plum, and a waft of Virginia tobacco spice. A touch of smoke ...
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£11.74
Indaba Mosaic
IndabaIndaba Mosaic is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux blend, displaying alluring aromas and juicy flavours of blackcurrant, ripe, earthy berry f...
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£12.47
Indaba Merlot
IndabaIndaba Merlot is crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety wine offers enticing aromas and bright, juicy flavours of cherry, dark berry and plu...
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£23.07
Ernie Els Major Series Merlot 2018
Ernie ElsThe medium bodied Ernie Els Major Series Merlot shows the sparkle of the vintage with a fresh acidity and delicate red fruits. Laced with ripe plum...
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£10.84
Vignobles Canet Beaux Lieux Réserve Rouge
Château CanetVignobles Canet Beaux Lieux Réserve Rouge is bright ruby red in colour, with ripe strawberry aromas on the nose. In the mouth the Beaux Lieux Réser...
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Original price £61.25Current price £59.14
Ernie Els Signature
Ernie ElsPerhaps the most serious Ernie Els Signature yet, the 2014 is a brooding, powerful Bordeaux-style blend produced from prime vineyards in the Helder...
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£21.34
Glenelly Estate Reserve Rouge
Glenelly EstateThe Glenelly Estate Reserve Rouge has a dark, deep and rich ruby colour. There are aromas of blackcurrant and spicy plum fruit, with notes of toast...
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£29.93
Château Bernadotte 2009, Haut-Médoc
Château Bernadotte"The finest Château Bernadotte made to date, this 2009 is an undeniable sleeper of the vintage. Composed of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and...
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£30.35
Ernie Els Proprietor's Blend 2017
Ernie ElsAfter hand-picking the fruit in the early morning ensuring the grapes came into the winery cool and were transferred to open-topped fermenters for ...
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£28.53
Le Benjamin de Sansonnet Grand Cru St Emilion 2016
Chateau SansonnetThe second wine of this exemplary Grand Cru Classe St Emilion is a terrific offering and often is more impressive than many first wines. Merlot dom...
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£10.44
Merlot - La Vigne de France
Château CanetCarcassonne, the South of France's magical medieval city, is surrounded with by vineyards where this delicious wine was made. Sun drenched slopes g...
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£26.24
Chateau Saintayme St Emilion Grand Cru 2017
Chateau SaintaymeA fantastic St Emilion from the same stable as L'Église Clinet in Pomerol. It comes from 100% Merlot on special rootstock and from 35 year old vine...
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£14.90
Domaine Wardy Les Terroirs Rouge 2017
Domaine WardyThis is an excellent, inexpensive expression of Beqaa Valley wine which is truly classic. A blend of Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot...
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£14.44
Rustenberg RM Nicholson
RustenbergRustenberg RM Nicholson has blackcurrant aromas complemented by scents of dried herbs and notes of black pepper and spice, followed by a palate wit...
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£42.39
Château Sansonnet 2014 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classe
Château SansonnetChateau Sansonnet 2014 is a really complex, well fruited and brooding St Emilion with excellent structure and plenty of finesse. The classic pencil...
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£17.19
Château Haut-Colombier 2015, Premières Côtes De Blaye
Château Haut-ColombierChateau Haut-Colombier is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ripe and juicy, this is a ready-to-drink wine. It has berry ...
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£14.04
Guardian Peak Merlot
Guardian PeakGuardian Peak Merlot is intensely red purple in the glass, on the nose fresh dark fruit and black cherry aromas are well integrated with smooth moc...
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£42.39
Château Pavillon Beauregard Le Chapelain 2014, Lalande-De-Pomerol
Château Pavillon BeauregardChateau Pavillon Beauregard Le Chapelain 2014 is adorned with a flattering deep Burgundy colour and reveals an already attractive and complex nose ...
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£16.72
Glenelly Glass Collection Merlot
Glenelly EstateGlenelly Glass Collection Merlot is a deep, richly coloured wine. It displays intense, dark fruit and spicy plum aromas, reminiscent of a Black For...
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£64.49
Chateau Prieure Lichine - Margaux 2018
Petit ChateauThis 4th growth from Margaux is a deliciously fruited, moderately powerful red with elegant fruit aromas as you would expect from Margaux. It still...
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£41.92
Lacoste Borie - Pauillac 2016
petits chateaux bordeauxThis second wine of the 5th Growth Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste has a great reputation. And rightly so as the Borie family take great care in the prod...
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£33.14
Clementin de Pape Clement - Pessac Leognan 2011
petits chateaux bordeauxChateau Pape Clement is one of the best run estates in Bordeaux and the second wine, Clementin de Pape Clement benefits from the same care and atte...
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£111.64
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere - St Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2017
petits chateaux bordeauxAnother excellent wine from the Von Niepperg stable. A blend of Merlot 60% Cabernet Franc 30% and Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, where the fruit was affec...
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£35.88
Chateau Lilian Ladouys - St Estephe Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel 2018
petits chateaux bordeauxPurchased by the Lorenzetti family in 2008, Chateau Lilian Ladouys is being groomed for stardom and indeed, even now it has been elevated to Cru Bo...
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£31.88
Ronan by Clinet - Bordeaux Rouge 2016 Magnum
petits chateaux bordeaux93 points Georgina Hindle, ww.decanter.com Incredibly aromatic and expressive nose full of ripe red fruits and floral scents. Smooth and sappy wit...
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£70.90
Chateau Gloria - St Julien 2016
petits chateaux bordeauxMeticulous wine-making have given this wine great precision and depth of flavour. It is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot and small amo...
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£39.71
"By Clinet" - Pomerol 2016
Gerrard SeelFrom the finest parcels of Pomerol and selected by Ronan Laborde, owner of Chateau Clinet, the wine is made with the same care and attention to de...
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£50.68
Chateau Pibran - Pauillac 2017
Chateau PibranA great wine from the AXA stable and a close relative of Chateau Pichon Baron. It has decent colour, moderate to rich garnet with some purple notes...
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£55.83
Chateau Grand Puy Ducasse - Pauillac 2017
Château Grand-Puy DucasseThis is an excellent offering from what is quite an underrated estate with vineyards sited close to Batailley, Lafite and Mouton. It has a deep gar...
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£40.34
Duluc De Branaire-Ducru 2018, Saint-Julien
Château Branaire-DucruDuluc De Branaire-Ducru 2018 has an appealing floral nose, aromatic with hints of dark fruit. Generous and fine with superb concentration, beautifu...
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£30.74
Chateau d'Aiguilhe - Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2019
petits chateaux bordeauxA terrific Castillon wine from the Comtes von Neipperg stable. A blend of mainly Merlot with 12% of Cabernet Franc, the bouquet opens up with delic...
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£37.56
Clos la Gaffeliere - St Emilion 2019
petits chateaux bordeauxThe second wine of the superb La Gaffeliere and made with the same care and attention. It is for the largest part Merlot and delivers damson and pl...
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£41.92
Chateau la Croix du Casse - Pomerol 2019
petits chateaux bordeauxThis is a chateau that we fell in love with many years ago when it was the sister chateau to Clinet in the days of Jean Michel Arcaute. Today it is...
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£47.38
Chateay Meyney - St Estephe 2011
Petit ChateauOver the last decade or so Chateay Meyney has returned to the quality levels of yesteryear and is now a top flight St Estephe that should be consid...
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£96.40
Ronan by Clinet Double Magnum 2016
petit chateau bordeauxThis elegant and very good looking large format claret is the prefect present for all lovers of Bordeaux. It is 100% Merlot from a variety of appel...
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£62.34
Chateau Cos Labory - 5ieme Cru St Estephe 2016
Petits Chateau BordeauxThis top class property located on the Cos hill of St Estephe is a chewy and chunky claret that will age for a further decade or so from now (2022)...
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£30.37
Madame de Beaucaillou - Haut Medoc 2019
petits chateaux bordeauxThis superb Haut Medoc has been made in hommage to all of the women who had a hand in bringing Ducru Beaucaillou to fame over the years. The 2019 v...
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£98.62
Chateau Malescot St Exupery - Margaux 2016
petits chateaux bordeauxThis is a wine that just about all journalists have agreed on the quality being superb. As with all fine Margaux the wine has a wonderful fragrance...
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£27.83
Chateau Saintayme St Emilion Grand Cru 2017
Chateau SaintaymeA fantastic St Emilion from the same stable as L'Église Clinet in Pomerol. It comes from 100% Merlot on special rootstock and from 35 year old vine...
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