Merlot has given us the great wines of St-Émilion and Pomerol, but is popular elsewhere too and is the second most-planted variety worldwide (and the most planted red wine grape in France).
It obviously complements Cabernet Sauvignon, with wines which are less aromatic with less intense flavours and lighter tannins and acidity, but with more body and higher alcohol. The best Merlot wines are often aged in oak, gaining vanilla and coffee flavours.
Merlot is the dominant variety on the Right Bank in Bordeaux and the wines are generally softer in style with medium tannin levels, medium acidity and a plum and red berry character, developing cedar and tobacco notes as they age.
Grapes grown in hot climates show a blackberry, black plum and black cherry character, full body, high alcohol and medium tannins.
Merlot has long been grown in Italy (particularly in the north east) where it can be preferred to Cabernet Sauvignon as it ripens more easily and is a less dominant blending companion to the native Italian varieties. It also does particularly well in the damper soils of Chile's Central Valley.
The Gran Verano Merlot is a ruby red coloured wine and possesses fresh fruit aromas with a touch of cherry. It displays an elegant finish with soft, round tannins
The Mapuche Merlot is a ruby red coloured wine and possesses fresh fruit aromas with a touch of cherry. It displays an elegant finish with soft, round tannins.
Red with glints of purple, This Apaltagua Reserva Merlot has notes of
raspberry and creme de cassis. The aroma is intense, with
touches of fresh fruit and a light hint of spices. In the mouth it is
elegant, with a medium body. The tannins are smooth and
round, with just enough oak to lend elegance and a persistent
finish.
Moreccio is a modern wine that expresses all of the pleasures of the wines that come from the Tuscan coast; abundant aromas of red fruits, hints of vanilla and soft notes of spice. Smooth and silky tannins contribute well with just a touch of acidity to make what is a thoroughly rich and intense wine, pleasantly easy to drink and enjoy on its own.
Merlot 87%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Cabernet Franc 3%
This 2010 vintage combines freshness and power both on the nose and the palate.
The aromas mostly consist of black fruits, but there are also liquorice and tropical fruit notes.
On the palate, it is appealing and spherical with ripe, close-knit tannins. The finish is straight
and very long with lots of freshness following through
Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 23%, Cabernet Franc 2%
Huge colour, very densely packed fruit and marvellous elegance, a touch of violets and lift on the palate shows red breed, superb fruits, tannins and length.
Cabernet Sauvignon 58%, Merlot 22%, Petit Verdot 20%
Bursting with fruit, this bright, attractive wine is accessible in its youth.
Enjoy it in anticipation of the finesse, elegance, and balance of the Grand Vin
Merlot 70%, Cabernet Franc 17%, Cabernet Sauvignon 7%, Malbec 6%
This St-Emilion's upbringing is similar to that of a top red Burgundy, including a 7-day cold soak, fermentation in small tanks, malolactic in barrel, and ageing sur-lie. This highly-focused wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to a beautiful bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, camphor, spring flowers, and spice box. Full bodied, with soft, round tannins and a very long finish.
Merlot 45%, Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Petit Verdot 10%
The 2010 exhibits classic cedar wood, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, liquorice and some balsam wood notes in a strong, medium to full-bodied, layered style with good opulence, purity and overall harmony.
Ruby red with touch of violet, great density in the glass expresses good structure.
Pleasantly spicy with hints of red currants and mature fruit.
Warm, soft, persistent with hints of dried fruit which is reminiscent of Amarone.
It is a rich and complex wine, its nose is very fruity with aromas of red fruits (raspberry, blackcurrant and morello cherry). Its mouth is supple and the tannins are present. A heavy-bodied wine that expresses itself with finesse.
It is a wine of pleasure with silky and melted tannins which will seduce you by its very fruity nose.
It should be served between 16 and 18°C and best accompanies cold meats, red meats, grills and cheeses.
Cabernet Sauvignon 58%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 5%, Cabernet Franc 2%
The vintages of Château Lamothe-Cissac exhibit a dark ruby colour in the first years. Aerating the wine displays a large spectrum of aromas : notes of red (blackcurrant) and jammy fruits associated with soft spices and subtle vanilla . Well-balanced palate with soft tanins and a very delicate finish. Excellent ageworthiness. Cellaring a few years will develop a complex mix of leather, undergrowth and smoky notes.
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 5%
Glistening colour combined with an elegant and fine nose. Aerating the wine displays a large spectrum of aromas : black fruits, nougat, and grilled notes. Fleshy and supple on the palate. with a lingering finish. Cellaring a few years will develop tertiary aromas : musk, undergrowth and complex oak notes.
Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 5%
The vintages of Château La Tonnelle exhibit a dark sustained colour with aromas of red and black cherry fruit. Rich and supple entry, fruity on the palate with delicate and lightly toasted oak notes. Long and silky finish. After a few years, the tannins soften and then give way to a charming blend.
The wine has a very delicate nose with wafts of perfume and
flowers coming through. A medium bodied palate follows with
round but firm tannins lingering on the back of the tongue.
Great with meats and pasta, even try with a crab curry.
As would be expected from a Merlot this is a smooth wine with a soft, juicy tannin structure. The Cabernet Sauvignon on the other end provides this wine with a smooth, well-rounded mouth feel. A wine with attractive red berry fruit on the nose that follows through on the palate with a touch of toasted oak. An easy drinking red for everyday enjoyment.
This is a wine full of subtle nuances from careful use of French and American oak, balanced with plum and mulberry. The full rounded palate lingers, finishing with soft silky tannins. An elegant and smooth wine.
The wine is a deep ruby red colour. The aroma is very intense, persistent, delicate and full-bodied, with hints of oak and berries. a full, long, warm mouth feel.
A deep purple Merlot with brilliant reflections. The nose evokes small, ripe red and black fruits such as raspberry, blackberry or blackcurrant, enhanced by a hint of spices and garrigue. The palate is round, offering a rich and silky texture thanks to well integrated tannins.
This elegant Merlot from the right bank of Bordeaux has a bouquet dominated by plum and cherry aromas and accented with floral and smoky notes. On the palate it is round and well-balanced with fruit flavours. The finish is long and tasty with dark fruit mixed with hints of tapenade.
Merlot 51%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 9%
A classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it has an intense deep red colour and aromas of ripe black fruit with hints of jam and spices. It is a well-balanced wine with good structure, mellow tannins and a lovely ripe-fruit aftertaste in the finish. It was awarded a Silver Medal at the Concours de Bordeaux 2011.
Appearance: Deep, cherry-red robe with hints of purple
Bouquet: The first nose gives restrained hints of dark fruits, liquorice and vanilla. Swirling reveals rich plum aromas, accented with subtle grilled notes.
Palate: A well-balanced attack, with big, bold fruit and a wonderful harmony of freshness and maturity. A resolutely classic palate, with a powerful structure and dark fruit flavours peppered with hints of mocha.
Deep ruby color with cherry reflections. Expressive, complex and greedy nose, where morello cherry and raspberry are enhanced by licorice and mocha. Supple, fruity and balanced in the attack, the mouth evolves on notes of bitter cocoa and roasting, towards a more solid finish with roasted accents.
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