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 This is our review of the 17 Best Merlot you should drink this year. Enjoy! Welcome! Have you ever found yourself staring at many Merlot bottles wondering which one you would like best? We spent a lot of hours researching the topic and tested hundreds of wines to come up with the below 17 best-of list for you. We have ranked them by quality, region, and value for money and added an extensive buying guide so that you have all you need to make an informed decision. You don’t have to spend several $100s to get an outstanding bottle of wine. Choose one of the below bottles and you’ll find quality wines at a competitive price, for all occasions and pockets. Merlot is the second most widely planted grape in the world. You can find Merlot as a single varietal or blended with other grapes. It can produce both light to medium-body wines with red fruit and herbaceous flavors, as well as medium to full-body wines, velvety tannins, with pronounced black fruit flavors and chocolate notes. You’ll find the table of content below. Let’s start with the review!
Vivino’s tips: 95 points by James Suckling Region: United States, Napa Valley. And the winner is… Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2018. There are a few things that make this wine stands out compared to the competition
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2018 it’s actually a blend of 89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Malbec. What it means is that you get extra complexity and texture than in a Merlot made in purity, i.e. entirely from Merlot grapes. Here is what you’ll get from it: On the nose, black fruit like huckleberry, black cherry, fig, and chocolate with hints of graphite, sage, and earthiness. On the palate, it’s a velvety, intense, full-body wine with many layers of complexity. It starts with blackcurrant, cherry, and cassis which develops into cocoa, black pepper, and oak with a very long finish. Pairing wise is a very versatile wine that allows you to pair it with many dishes, although we find it gives its best with earthy flavor dishes and red meat in particular. For this reason, we recommend battuta di fassona with black truffle, tagliolini with white truffle, roast leg of lamb, turkey, duck, and venison. To summarise, if you want the best Merlot and are ok with a $115 price tag, get this, otherwise, keep reading.
Vivino’s tips: 90 by Wine Enthusiast Region: United States, Napa Valley. The runner-up is Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot. It is similar to the French Bordeaux style without the finesse that Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2018 has but apart from that it’s a great bottle of wine for less than half the price. The three things that make this wine the best value wine are:
Here is what you’ll get from it: On the nose, vibrant red fruit layers of Rainier cherry and spiced plum, as well as notes of licorice, tobacco leaf, cardamom, and thyme aromas. On the palate, it’s a velvety and smooth full-body wine with flavors of raspberry, black plum, rhubarb, and licorice, with hints of clove, spice, graphite, and a long finish. Try it with agnolotti mushroom, roasted vegetables, venison, duck, or Pecorino cheese for example, and it’ll be a delight! To summarise, Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot is a great bottle for a very good price. It won’t reach the level of elegance that Three Palms Vineyard Merlot has but it’s still delicious and you’ll save roughly $60 that you can spend on more wines. 😋
Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 2 times as much. Region: United States, Wahluke Slope Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cherry, Vanilla, Oak, Chocolate, Cocoa, Earthy. Have you found yourself in that situation where you just wanted to have a nice glass of wine with no fuss and that tastes delicious? You know, just for the pleasure of drinking it on its own or having it with that tasty BBQ ribs, grilled lamb, or cheese of yours. Well, Seven Falls Merlot is exactly it and it’s super affordable too. The three things that make this wine the best budget are:
Here is what you’ll get from it: On the nose, cherry, blackberry, black currant and earthy herbal notes aromas. On the palate, it’s a complex yet smooth and silky full-body wine with medium plus acidity, and flavors of black currant, and blackberry, with a cocoa and oak finish. Try it with penne alla boscaiola, ratatouille, BBQ ribs, burger, or Camembert cheese and it’ll be a delight. To summarise, Seven Falls Merlot is the perfect everyday red, yummy, and silky that delivers every time and is incredibly affordable. If you though are after more refined bottles and overall experience Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot or Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot are better choices.
Vivino’s tips: 94 by Jeff Leve (2007 Vintage) Region: United States, Napa Valley This wine featured in Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Californian Merlot (2014 Vintage) and the 2007 Vintage got 94 point by Jeff Leve. I’m not sure about you but I’m already sold 🤩! Indigo at the core with garnet edges, this Merlot leads with aromas of candied violet, red plum, and ripe fig. Flavors of dark red cherry and raspberry, layers of deep blue fruits and notes of savory grilled herbs lead to the finish.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 58% more. Region: United States, Sonoma County Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cherry, Oak, Vanilla, Leather, Pepper If you are after a very good entry-level Merlot California style, this is your wine. It offers a great value for money that is hard to match!
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2017 Wine Style Awards: Washington State Merlot (2010 Vintage) Region: United States, Columbia Valley Tasting notes: Blackberry, Cherry, Mocha. 14 Hands Merlot is primarily made from Merlot grapes with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, you’ll get flavors of blackberry and cherry finishing with mocha notes. It’s smooth as you would expect from a Merlot, i.e. has medium tannins and a good structure thanks to the aging in French and American oak barrels.
Vivino’s tips: Rated (94 – 97) by Robert Parker Region: France, Margaux Tasting notes: Black Raspberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Incense, Smoke, Spring Flowers. If Merlot French style is what you are after, this is one of the best wine you can find at this price point. Here an extract from the Vivino’s Editor note: “Cellar Showpiece Red—A Chance to Take Home What Just Might Be “the Greatest Lascombes Made” According to Robert Parker! Only 100 Bottles of Château Lascombes Margaux 2010 Available!” This wine exhibits a deep blue/purple hue along with a sweet perfume of blueberries, black raspberries, cherries, incense, smoke, and spring flowers. While opulent, underneath the full-bodied richness of fruit and depth, is a structured wine.
Vivino’s tips: Vivino’s Editor note: “Tuscany’s 97-Point Answer to Bordeaux’s Right Bank!” Region: Italy, Toscana Tasting notes: Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Plum, Cassis, Chocolate, Coffee, Caramel, Licorice, Tobacco. If Merlot Italian style is what you are after, this is one of the best wine you can find at this price point. Here is an extract
from the Vivino’s Editor note: Cherries, black currants, blackberries, chocolate, coffee, black pepper. Velvety tannins and a good acidity give backbone and structure to the rich flavors. The wine has a seamless balance with a long and fine finish.
Region: Spain, Ribera del Duero Tasting notes: Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Cherry, Vanilla, Oak, Leather. It has dark red, intense and bright cherry. Elegance and austerity, complex, full of fruit nuances. Aromas of fine wines of the Ribera del Duero. It has an impressive depth with hints of dark fruit, toast and cherry liqueur. Tasty and fresh, smooth, fine and elegant, with a nice balance, achieving a feeling of great wine.
Region: Australia, McLaren Vale Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cherry, Licorice, Cacao. If you fancy Australian style Merlot this bottle will pleasantly surprise you! This is tight, lithe and elegant: a composed and dignified Merlot with only the faintest initial glimpse of anything resembling mellow. It smells comforting at first, but as the drinker delves, the bouquet unveils mossy, damp forest earth, and then fresher, leafy greens emerge with their tannins.
Vivino’s tips: Popular among Vivino users. More than 500 ratings Region: South Africa, Cape Town Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Red Fruit, Oak, Mocha, Vanilla, Cedar. It is a full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries. On the nose Mulberry raspberry and blackberry fruit accompanied by licorice and mocha flavors that carry through on palate well supported by firm French oak tannins. It’s the typical wine for a casual dinner and an affordable option if you want to try a different Merlot style.
Region: Chile, Apalta Valley Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cassis, Cherry, Oak, Vanilla, Pepper. Ruby red color with aromas of red fruit such as raspberry and strawberry with fresh herbs aromas and earthy toast notes. Medium bodied wine with a silky texture, with round and juicy tannins. Cassis and coffee beans notes provide the finish. This is yet another good and affordable wine that will allow you discover another Merlot style.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 77% more. Region: United States, Paso Robles Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Cherry, Oak, Violet. For the price is wine is a bargain! Be quick before it’s too late… The wine presents a mature red color with a raspberry hue. Red fruit aromas of plum and pomegranate are integrated with a barrel signature of dark chocolate and baking spice. Whole berry fermentation with a generous use of Malbec as a blender accentuates the brighter fruit tones of Merlot and leaves ripe, soft tannins on the palate.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 88% more. Region: Italy, Bolgheri Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Dark Fruit, Red Fruit, Oak, Chocolate, Vanilla, Pepper, Violet. This Italian Bolgheri offers tremendous value for money. In the words of Vivino’s Editor: “An Approachable, Affordable Alternative to Guado al Tasso”. Don’t wait too long… Marchesi Antinori’s passion for viticulture is expressed through perseverance: their continuous pursuit for quality improvement, even in the smallest details. This wine is velvety, elegant, smooth and complex. For this price range, it’s a gift!
Vivino’s tips: 94 points by Robert Parker Region: Italy, Maremma Toscana Tasting notes: Blackberry, Plum, Dark Cherry Oak, Tobacco, Leather, Licorice. This is one of our favorite Tuscan Bordeaux Blend you can find at this price range. So we were quite pleased when we find out that this wine isn’t just very popular and appreciated in the Vivino’s community, it’s also vouched for by Vivino’s Editor. Here is an extract from his Editor’s note: “This Classic Tuscan Producer’s New 94-Point Endeavor is a Bold Take on the Bordeaux Blend that Makes the Best of its Unique Seaside Terroir” Expect full and seductive body, dark spice flavors, enveloping and long taste.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 50% more. Region: France, Pomerol Tasting notes: Blackberry, Dark Cherry, Plum, Oak, Tobacco, Leather, Licorice. On the nose a tight core of black fruits, blackcurrants and dark cherries. Beautifully textured on the palate, sweet and quite fleshy, supple and flattering. Lots of ripe tannins but they are very well hidden by this layer of fruit, with a lovely sense of grip coming in. Great acidity at the core. Wonderful structure and balance here, and an elegant substance to the finish. It is sometimes on offer on Vivino, if you are lucky, be quick and grab at least one bottle for a special occasion!
Vivino’s tips: Winner of Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Bordeaux Pessac-Léognan (1989 Vintage) Region: France, Pessac-Léognan Tasting notes: Leather, Earthy, Smoke, Tobacco, Cedar. You have probably heard the name but have not seen a bottle around. That’s ok you are in good company… This is the Ferrari of Merlot. And don’t worry, it’s not the most expensive Merlot you can find. You can still buy very old vintages like 1953 from Vivino, rated 95 points by Jeff Leve, up to most recent dates. It goes without saying, handle and store very old vintages properly, so that you can experience them at their best when it’s time. 2014 still offers a pretty good value for money in relative’s term. The same goes 2016 vintage which have been rated 100 by Wine Enthusiast. What to expect? Well, it very much depends on the vintage and how the wine has evolved. Broadly speaking expect a very elegant, rich in flavor, and complex wine. You’ll feel the tannins, even after many years, so not super smooth. Leather, Earthy, Smoke, Tobacco, Cedar and Black Fruit will be some of the most common flavors. One of a kind, for a very special occasion! Buying Guide to MerlotIt’s not just about which Merlot you should buy. There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more. The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview of all these topics. Merlot OverviewHere you find an overview of where Merlot is most commonly planted. Main RegionsFrance: Bordeaux Other Regions Chile Main RegionsFrance: Bordeaux Other Regions Chile Merlot Taste ProfileThese are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Merlot. ColorMedium to Deep Ruby Nose Mint, Black Tea Palate Red Fruit (unripe) ColorMedium to Deep Ruby Nose Mint, Black Tea Palate Red Fruit (unripe) Merlot Food PairingThese are some food pairing suggestions for Merlot. Appetizer Mushroom Pizza, Meat Turkey Cheese Bloomy Rind (Camembert), Appetizer Mushroom Pizza, Meat Turkey Cheese Bloomy Rind (Camembert), Serve and Store MerlotHere you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Merlot. Serve at 59 - 64 °F Store for 3-5 years Serve at 59 - 64 °F Store for 3-5 years Merlot StylesRegions and winemaking techniques influence Merlot taste profiles. Here is a quick overview of the main regions and what to expect:
Like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is usually blended with other grapes to soften their taste profile and structure. Bordeaux wines are the most famous blend. Our VerdictMerlot is the second most widely planted grape in the world. You can find Merlot as a single varietal or blended with other grapes. If you have been through the buying guide, you should have a pretty good idea of how to navigate the Merlot world. At the same time, you have probably realized by now, that there’s a huge selection, many styles, and various price points. The good news is that you can get very high quality usually at a good price if you know where to look! That’s why proper guidance comes in handy. We hope our guide was helpful in this regard. As always, make sure to serve your Merlot at the right temperature and with the proper glass. What to do next?FAQHere are some of the most frequently asked questions about Merlot. What does Merlot mean?The common assumption, based on the grape color, is that “Merlot” is the diminutive of “merle”, i.e. the French name for the blackbird. What is Merlot history?Merlot is an offspring of Cabernet Franc [1] and it’s related to Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère [2] and Malbec. Its origin was discovered in the late 1990s, at the University of California, Davis [3]. The first Merlot trace we have is from the 1780s in the Bordeaux region in France. It appears it was used as a blend for a local Bordeaux production. By the 19th century, it became very popular in France, Italy, and Switzerland. As Bordeaux became a popular wine, Merlot did too. In the US it has become an important grape across California, Washington State, and New York. Merlot is today the second most widely planted grape in the world. Where does Merlot grow best?Merlot is planted all over the world given its versatility. Merlot gives it best in moderate to warm climates. Climates will have a direct effect on the Merlot taste profile. Here is a quick overview:
When is the perfect time to drink Merlot?Given its versatility, every occasion is a good occasion for a Merlot as long as your event is not 100% fish-based. Even during summertime, if you go for the lighter Merlot version, it’s still very enjoyable and a good alternative to Pinot Noir. Is Merlot sweet?Merlot is not sweet. It is a dry wine which means it contains less than 15 g/L, or sugar per liter. Learn more about wine sweetness level here. When is the Merlot day?There is an International Merlot day and it’s the 7th November. What's the most famous Merlot blend?One of the most famous Merlot blend is Bordeaux wine. Merlot is part of the so called six “Bordeaux Varietals”. These are: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot [4]. What are Super Tuscan wines?Have you ever heard of “Super Tuscan” wines? Well, this is yet another famous Cabernet Sauvignon blend with Merlot and Syrah/Shiraz. “Super Tuscan” is the name used to differentiate them from the other Tuscan wine made with indigenous grapes, like Chianti. How do you distinguish Cabernet Sauvignon from Merlot in a blind tasting?A blind taste with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will be a tricky one! They are quite similar. A quick hint is to look for fewer tannins and chocolate notes, and most of the time you’ve got a Merlot! Which movie made a bad publicity on Merlot?Have you ever seen the movie Sideways [5]? Well, rumors are that Merlot sales dropped by 2% because of the bad publicity in the movie. What’s Merlot's typical price range?There’s a Merlot for every pocket. Broadly speaking this what you can expect by price range:
Which are the best Merlot wines?17 Best Merlot Reviewed. Best Overall: Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2018.. Best Value: Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot.. Best Budget: Seven Falls Merlot.. Best California (Napa): Pahlmeyer Merlot.. Best California (Sonoma): Decoy Sonoma County Merlot 2019.. Best Washington: 14 Hands Merlot.. Which country has the best Merlot wine?Merlot's spiritual home is in France, specifically Bordeaux and it remains the most widely planted variety in the region.
What is the number 1 red wine in the world?1. Château Lafite Rothschild (Bordeaux, France) With 400 years of winemaking history backing it, Château Lafite is undoubtedly one of the world's oldest winemakers.
Is Merlot the best red wine?Merlot is one of the world's most popular red wines, and America's second favorite after Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its soft, sensual texture and approachable style, it's made from red-skinned grapes that can adapt to a variety of climates to produce food-friendly wines in many price points.
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The best merlot wine in the world
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