Merlot Wine
IN THE BOTTLE
Ripe blackberry, red plum, and black cherry jump out of the glass accompanied by hints of cocoa and coffee. Firm tannins with a full body and elevated acidity on the finish.
CLASSIC FLAVOR PROFILES OF VARIETAL
Cooler climate Merlot will tend to show notes of red cherry and red plum, while warm climate Merlot will tend to have darker fruits, like blackberry, black cherry, and black plum. Both styles tend to show chocolate aromas that are commonly associated with Merlot while aging in oak barrels adds coffee, vanilla, and baking spices.
VARIETAL FACTS
Merlot is a very productive grape, often grown in the same regions as Cabernet Sauvignon. Because it tends to ripen earlier, Merlot offers a bit of insurance against things going wrong late in the harvest season. Fortunately, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend well together, with Merlot giving the final wine a round fruit character, soft tannins, and a supple texture. The name Merlot comes from a French blackbird that is known for eating the grapes right off the vine.
HISTORY
Merlot is the most planted grape in Bordeaux, France, not Cabernet Sauvignon! In Bordeaux, it is predominantly found in the Right Bank, an area on the northeastern side of the Gironde estuary where the clay and limestone soils are an ideal match for Merlot. Research shows that Merlot originated in the area in the late 1700s and came to dominate the region after a hard frost in the 1950s killed off many vines. Many growers chose to replant with Merlot because it could produce a high-quality wine with elevated yields for the region.
DID YOU KNOW?
The 2004 movie Sideways is known for the character Miles, whose Merlot hatred killed the grape's popularity. The irony? At the end, Miles comforts himself by eating a burger in a diner and surreptitiously drinking his most prized bottle out of a Styrofoam cup. That bottle: a Merlot-based red, 1961 Cheval Blanc, worth about $5,000.
IF YOU LIKE THIS WINE, TRY:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Lux Cab, Lux Meritage
Standard Bottle 750 ml
Please note: An adult signature is required for the final delivery of any wine shipment.
