All about Merlot

Appearance

  • Color: Deep ruby to garnet red.
  • Opacity: Medium to deep; Merlot typically exhibits a bright, clear appearance, indicating its rich fruit content and moderate tannin structure.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas: Blackberry, plum, and cherry.
  • Secondary Aromas: Herbal notes such as dried thyme or bay leaf, and subtle earthiness.
  • Tertiary Aromas: With aging, Merlot develops complex aromas of chocolate, clove, vanilla, cedar, and sometimes tobacco.

Flavor Profile

  • Fruit Flavors: Dominated by dark fruits like black cherry, plum, and blackberry.
  • Other Flavors: Notes of cocoa, chocolate, and sometimes hints of earthy graphite or mineral qualities. Aging in oak barrels introduces additional flavors such as vanilla, clove, and a subtle hint of smoke or cedar.
  • Oak Influence: Many Merlots are aged in oak, which adds depth and complexity to the wine’s flavor profile, enhancing its natural fruitiness with layers of spice and wood.

Structure

  • Body: Medium to full-bodied.
  • Tannins: Medium to high; Merlot’s tannins are generally softer and more approachable than those in Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Acidity: Medium to high, providing a good balance to the wine’s rich fruit flavors.
  • Alcohol: Ranges from 13% to 15%

Join the club

Get this varietal often & more delivered to your doorstep when you join our wine club!

Classic Series Wine Club Membership
Classic Series Membership
From $39
From $39
classic wine of the month club subscription box
Vintners Series Membership
From $42
From $42
Limited Series Wine Club Membership
Limited Series Membership
From $52
From $52

Pairings for Merlot

slow roasted lamb shoulder
slow roasted lamb shoulder

Beef hotpot or slow-roasted lamb

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Roasted Duck
Roasted Duck

Roasted Duck

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vegan aged blue cheese
vegan aged blue cheese

Blue cheese

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