Shop Merlot Wines

The 2023 Mount Rozier Reserve Blue Emperor Merlot is crafted from grapes hand-harvested in the cool, early morning light as the sun rises over South Africa's breathtaking Western Cape. Medium-bodied with a dark plum color, this vibrant fruit-forward red layers notes of plums, cherries, and blackberries with a hint of cinnamon spice and cigar. These ripe red fruits flow effortlessly on the palate, complimented by a soft tannin structure and a slightly sweet finish. Best served at room temperature, this easy-to-drink red is perfect for enjoying around a fire pit or at the table with lamb kabobs or a juicy, grilled steak.

The black cherry hues of this 2022 Vespertine Merlot promise a nose of complex fruit and creamy dark chocolate.

The palate opens with punchy notes of plum balanced by hints of cherry and toasted spice. The Merlot is pleasantly dry with a medium to full body and robust tannins. The finish is smooth, long, and lingering with subtle notes of blackberry.

This 2022 Merlot by Vespertine is cultivated in the Lodi region of Northern California, just 90 miles outside San Francisco. This historically rich farming area has moderate summers, cooled by the Sacramento Delta and blessed with ancient vines for grape growth.

While this Vespertine Merlot is undoubtedly more than enough when sipped on its own, it can bring the best out of truly rich meat dishes such as filet mignon, a juicy medium-rare burger, or a rack of roasted lamb.

Brilliant ruby red in the glass, this medium-bodied Merlot from Veneto, Italy, offers a vinous aroma with delicate herbaceous notes that reflect the region’s ideal growing conditions — warm days, cool nights, and mineral-rich soils. The palate is well-structured with rounded fruit, moderate tannins, and a smooth, lingering finish. Exceptionally versatile, it pairs well with roasted pork, mushroom risotto, grilled vegetables, or a simple Margherita pizza.

From Washington State’s Yakima Valley, this full-bodied Merlot delivers a comforting style with plenty of depth. Ripe plum and black cherry flavors lead, layered with smooth cocoa and vanilla for a dry, velvety finish that feels both polished and inviting. Its richness pairs beautifully with pasta tossed in a classic marinara, juicy grilled burgers, or a spread of aged cheddar and creamy gouda.

Indulge in the brilliance of Famiglia Peraccini Merlot Veneto Italy 2023—a wine that beautifully showcases the character of Veneto's clay and gravel soils. This brilliant ruby red wine opens with a vinous aroma of raspberry, cherry, spices, and a delicate herbaceous flavor. The grapes are softly pressed and undergo fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts for about 8 days in contact with the skins, all at a controlled temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. The result is a wine with a well-structured, rounded finish and moderate tannins that add to its deliciousness. Pair with roast duck, lean beef, and spaghetti doused in herbaceous tomato sauce.

Uncork the deliciously fruit-forward flavor that defines Lone Cardinal Merlot and enjoy an easy-drinking red from California. Pour yourself a glass of this flavorful merlot and enjoy a Juicy punch of blackberry, plum, and cherry notes that anchor this medium-bodied Merlot. This red unfolds to reveal subtle hints of baking spices that linger on the palate. Moderate acidity is balanced by smooth, refined tannins, making this wine wonderfully food-friendly. Lone Cardinal Merlot was born out of the mission to create wines that capture the spirit of California. California's warm, dry summers and cool nights create ideal conditions for growing juicy grapes that make up this flavorful Merlot. Lone Cardinal Merlot can be paired with roast veal, rack of lamb, and filet mignon. This versatile red will also complement pasta, burgers, and pizza.

Prepare to be enchanted by Wolfson Cellars Merlot 2022, a wine that captivates from the very first glance with its alluring black cherry hues. This exquisite Merlot promises a nose of intricate fruit and velvety dark chocolate, setting the stage for a palate that bursts forth with punchy plum notes harmoniously balanced by hints of cherry and an irresistible touch of toasted spice.

With a pleasantly dry character and a medium to full body, this Merlot presents robust tannins that guide you toward a smooth, long, lingering finish with subtle whispers of blackberry.

Try it with a succulent filet mignon, a perfectly juicy medium-rare burger, or a mouthwatering roasted lamb rack. Let Wolfson Cellars Merlot elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Savor the velvety black cherry hues and complexity of redland Ranch Reserve Merlot 2022. This lush red promises complex fruit and creamy dark chocolate aromas, followed by a palate bursting with punchy plum, cherry, and toasted spice notes. Its pleasantly dry character, medium to full body, and robust tannins provide structure, while the finish is smooth, lingering with subtle hints of blackberry.

Cultivated in an area with moderate summers, this Merlot brings out the best in rich meat dishes, making it the ideal companion for filet mignon, juicy burgers, or roasted lamb.

This Merlot is best enjoyed with food and benefits from decanting, offering a balanced and complex flavor profile with a dry finish.

Hold onto your saddles, because Lot 931, our 2021 Wahluke Slope Merlot, bursts from the glass like a champion at the finish line. This Washington gem explodes with a chorus of aromas – think black cherry compote mingling with hints of dark chocolate and a touch of savory Tobacco. On the palate, the Wahluke Slope influence shines through. Lush black plum and juicy blackberry flavors take center stage, supported by a subtle earthiness that whispers of the region's unique terroir. A sprinkle of baking spice from well-integrated oak adds a touch of elegance, while the finish lingers with hints of cocoa and lingering minerality. This Merlot is pure indulgence, a sip-after-sip celebration of Washington's prized Wahluke Slope AVA.

Sun-soaked and sculpted by wind, Lot 931, our 2021 Wahluke Slope Merlot, embodies the essence of this unique Washington appellation. Sourced from certified "Sustainable WA" vineyards, these grapes ripen under endless sunshine, tempered by cool evening breezes that dance down from the nearby Columbia River. The Wahluke Slope's well-drained, gravelly soils, eerily similar to those found in Right Bank Bordeaux, coax out intense flavors in the Merlot grapes. This isn't your grandpa's Merlot. Expect a burst of dark fruit on the nose – think black cherry and plum – laced with hints of cocoa powder and earthy spice. The palate is plush and generous, yet balanced by a core of minerality that reflects the region's unique growing conditions. It's a sip of pure Wahluke Slope magic.

A Fantastic Alexander Valley Merlot by a well-known Merlot-focused vintner selling for $40/bottle at the source winery’s tasting room

Boasting a deep ruby color in the glass, Lot 886 is fabulously decadent and plush, revealing a wealth of flavors on the palate of ripe cherry, fragrant red currants, and spiced Santa Rosa plums. The finish is rich and velvety with lingering notes of black fruit, dried herbs, and baking spices. Enjoy a glass while prepping a roasted chicken, another while whipping up a rich mushroom gravy, and depending on how long it takes for dinner to cook, maybe even crack open a second bottle.

Fellow Merlot lovers - have you noticed any headlines in the wine magazines you frequent pointing out that producers of world-class Merlot are struggling to keep up with demand? After all, many Merlot vines were torn out in the early Aughts—thanks to one cult-classic movie, which shall not be named! But that’s all changing, and the wineries that held onto their precious Merlot, are reaping the rewards.

Lot 886 2021 Alexander Valley Merlot, comes from a well-known Merlot-focused vintner who has been featured on Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Values lists and “10 Commendable California Merlots.” The Russian River, which snakes its way through Alexander Valley, brings cool air with it during the warm growing months, allowing the natural acids in grapes to remain firm, which leads to a remarkable freshness, or brightness, in the wine - a fantastic AVA to grow Merlot.

Pairs perfectly with ratatouille!

From La Mancha's sun-drenched regions, the 2020 Finca Antigua Crianza Merlot stands out for its lush, fruit-forward character and rich complexity. Vibrant plum and red berry notes dominate the palate, complemented by chocolate and spice cake undertones.

Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, this wine achieves a smooth, full-bodied texture with a touch of toasted warmth. Its balanced acidity and rounded tannins make it an excellent pairing for barbecue, grilled vegetables, pasta with hearty red sauces, or a juicy burger. It is best served slightly below room temperature to bring out its nuanced flavors.