Merlot
Cabernet's supple partner and a star in its own right. Earlier-ripening and softer, Merlot delivers generous fruit and velvety texture, alone or in Bordeaux blends.
Plush plum, black cherry, mocha and soft, round tannin.
Roast pork, mushroom dishes, duck.
Wineries growing Merlot
Opus One
Oakville · Est. 1979
Cassis, graphite and violets in a spine of ultra-fine tannin; effortlessly cellar-worthy 20+ years.
Duckhorn Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1976
Plush, plummy Merlot with graphite and mocha; polished and dinner-ready.
Inglenook
Rutherford · Est. 1879
Rubicon is a graceful, Rutherford-dust Cabernet blend with tobacco, cassis and fine tannin.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
St. Helena · Est. 1973
Insignia is grand and structured — cassis, dark chocolate and cedar built for long ageing.
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Oak Knoll District · Est. 1968
Crisp, citrusy Chardonnay and a savoury Dragon's Tooth blend — the cool Oak Knoll signature.
Hall Wines
St. Helena · Est. 2003
Polished, dark-fruited Cabernet with fine-grained tannin and generous oak.
Castello di Amorosa
Calistoga · Est. 2007
Approachable Italian-style reds; the destination is the castle itself.
Sterling Vineyards
Calistoga · Est. 1964
Easy-drinking Napa classics; the gondola ride and views are the headline.
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1971
Rich old-vine Zinfandel and plush reds tuned for the table.
Matanzas Creek Winery
Bennett Valley · Est. 1977
Crisp, herb-tinged Sauvignon Blanc and polished Merlot; visit in early summer bloom.
Chateau St. Jean
Sonoma Valley · Est. 1973
Polished Bordeaux-style Cinq Cépages; the manicured gardens are a highlight.
Benziger Family Winery
Sonoma Mountain · Est. 1980
Clean, expressive estate wines; the tram tour is a wine-country classic.
Château Margaux
Margaux, Médoc · Est. 1705
Violets, cassis and cedar over silken tannin — ageless elegance and decades of cellaring.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac, Médoc · Est. 1868
Graphite, cedar and cassis in an understated, extraordinarily long-lived frame.
Merlot FAQs
What does Merlot taste like?
Merlot typically shows Plush plum, black cherry, mocha and soft, round tannin. Cabernet's supple partner and a star in its own right. Earlier-ripening and softer, Merlot delivers generous fruit and velvety texture, alone or in Bordeaux blends.
What food pairs with Merlot?
Merlot pairs beautifully with Roast pork, mushroom dishes, duck.
Where is Merlot grown?
Classic homes for Merlot include Bordeaux (Right Bank — Pomerol & St-Émilion), Napa Valley. Estates in our guide that grow it include Opus One, Duckhorn Vineyards, Inglenook, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Trefethen Family Vineyards, Hall Wines.
Taste Merlot where it grows best
Let a Chauffyr chauffeur plan a wine day around the estates that make Merlot shine.