Merlot

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.


Gran Verano Merlot

Apaltagua
Central Valley, Chile

Merlot 100%

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

ABV 13.0%

Reserva Merlot

Apaltagua
Colchagua Valley

Merlot 100%

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.

ABV 13.5%

Finca Valdelroble

Callejo
Ribera del Duero, Spain

Tempranillo 60%, Merlot 30%, Syrah/Shiraz 10%

Lively, deep dense red colour with delicate aromas of wild forest flowers. Ripe tropical fruit characters. Mineral touches come through against a backdrop of spicy and smoky notes. Hints of just picked grapes on the palate along with fresh tannins. In the mouth it is full with a long lingering finish.

ABV 14.5%

Canti Merlot

Canti
Italy

Merlot 100%

Full bodied with intense ripe black cherry flavours and delicate soft tannins. On the palate is ethereal and pleasantly spicy. Ideal with Pasta dishes, grilled red meats, BBQ Continental sausages and firm cheeses.

ABV 13.0%

Morrecio Rosso DOC

Casa di Terra
Bolgheri

Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Syrah/Shiraz 30%, Merlot 30%

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.

ABV 14.0%

La Closerie de Fourtet

Château Clos Fourtet
Saint-Emilion

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

ABV 14.5%

Initial de Desmirail

Château Desmirail
Margaux

Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 15%, Cabernet Franc 5%

A beautifully smooth, ripe claret, with a deep garnet colour, supple blackcurrant and plum flavours and an intense but soft, approachable texture.

ABV 13.0%

Château Duhart-Milon

Château Duhart Milon
Pauillac

Cabernet Sauvignon 76%, Merlot 24%

Deep, dense colour. Notes of liquorice and cherry stones. Good on the palate, full-bodied and supple. Superb, elegant length.

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
Pauillac

Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 5%

ABV 14.0%

Château Langoa Barton

Château Langoa & Leoville Barton
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Cabernet Sauvignon 73%, Merlot 17%, Cabernet Franc 10%

ABV 12.5%

Château Léoville Barton

Château Langoa & Leoville Barton
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Merlot 15%, Cabernet Franc 5%

ABV 13.0%

La Reserve de Léoville Barton

Château Langoa & Leoville Barton
Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France

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.

ABV 13.0%

Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre

Chateau Leoville Poyferre
Saint Julien

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

ABV 12.5%

Echo de Lynch Bages

Chateau Lynch-Bages
Pauillac

Cabernet Sauvignon 47%, Merlot 41%, Cabernet Franc 12%

On the nose, aromas of blackberry, cassis and red berries, along with a peppery note. The finish is tasty and exhibits good length

ABV 12.5%

Château Quinault l'Enclos

Chateau Quinault
Saint-Emilion

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.

ABV 12.5%

Château Tour St Bonnet

Chateau Tour St Bonnet
Medoc

Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Merlot 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.

ABV 12.5%

Feritas Rosso del Veneto

Corte Alta
Valpolicella, Italy

Corvina 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Rondinella 10%, Merlot 10%

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.

ABV 14.5%

'Thésaurus' Cabernet Merlot

Domaine Denis Tastet
Côte de Gascogne, South West, France

Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 25%

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. Best enjoyed within 2 or 3 years after the vintage.

It should be served between 16 and 18°C and best accompanies cold meats, red meats, grills and cheeses.

ABV 12.5%

Château Lamothe-Cissac

Domaines Fabre
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

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.

ABV 13.0%

Château Landat

Domaines Fabre
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

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.

ABV 12.5%

Château Lanessan

Domaines Fabre
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Merlot 10%, Petit Verdot 5%

Multilayered, elegant nose. Lovely structure on the palate with fleshy tannins and a long finish.

ABV 12.5%

Château La Tonnelle

Domaines Fabre
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Merlot 35%, Petit Verdot 5%

The vintages of Château La Tonnelle exhibit a dark sustained colour with aromas of red/black cherry fruit. Rich and supple entry, Fruity non the palate with delicate and lightly toasted oak notes. Long and silky finish. After a few years, the tanins soften and then give way to a charming blend.

ABV 13.0%

The Guru Merlot

Hoopenburg The Guru
South Africa

Merlot 100%

This Merlot expresses flavours of red fruits, cherries and pink lady apples. A really lovely drinking wine with good freshness

ABV 14.5%

Bushvine Merlot

Hoopenburg Wines
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Merlot 100%

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.

ABV 14.0%

Huaquén Merlot

Huaquén
Central Valley

Merlot 100%

Ruby red in colour with touches of plum and an elegant finish with soft and round tannins.

ABV 13.5%

Stonedale Cabernet Merlot

Rietvallei Wine Estate
Robertson, South Africa

Cabernet Sauvignon 69%, Merlot 31%

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.

ABV 13.0%

Moonraker Merlot

Shaw Family Vintners
McLaren Vale, Austraila

Merlot 100%

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.

ABV 14.5%

Chianti Classico Riserva

Vignamaggio
Chianti Classico, Italy

Sangiovese 85%, Merlot 15%

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.

ABV 14.0%

Sainte Magdelaine Pays D'Oc Merlot

Vignobles Bonfils
Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Merlot 100%

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.

ABV 13.0%

Château des Baraillots

Yvon Mau
Lalande de Pomerol

Merlot 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%

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.

ABV 13.0%

Château Freybernat

Yvon Mau
Bordeaux, France

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.

Contains: sulphites

ABV 13.0%

Château Gravat

Yvon Mau
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Merlot 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Petit Verdot 5%

Dark ruby appearance, with red and black fruit notes. Structured with fine tannins.

ABV 13.0%

Château Lapelletrie

Yvon Mau
Saint-Emilion

Merlot 90%, Cabernet Franc 10%

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.

ABV 14.5%

Château Saint-Poly

Yvon Mau
Saint-Emilion

Merlot 75%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%

A concentrated, harmonious and fruity palate. This wine is highly structured, rich in substance, with elegant tannins.

ABV 13.0%

Chateau Vieux Montagne

Yvon Mau
Montagne Saint-Emilion

Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 20%

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.

ABV 14.0%


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