American Merlots

Merlots Are Some of America's Best Wines

Overlooked? Undiscovered? Yes. And if one movie has quelled demand, then consider yourself lucky, and go out and get some. "Whatever your wine budget, now is a good time to drink California Merlot" writes Tim Fish in Wine Spectator. "The 2007 vintage offers quality for serious collectors as well as for shoppers at the value end of the spectrum."

14 Hands - Let's hear it for value wine from Washington. Bad label, strange name, darn good wine (WS 90 points). Available at Crossroads in NYC, sadly hard to find outside the USA.

Atalon - Napa - Parker gives 89 points to this "sweet perfume."

Barnett Vineyards - Napa - Rich, intense, blended with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Blair Estate - A small, family owned winery making consistently good Merlots (and other wines). This one happens to be a bargain.

Burgess - Napa - Rich and deep. A relative bargain.

Byrd Cooper - Napa - From the Neyers folks.

Cakebread Cellars - One of the stalwarts. Complex, well made, the height of great American Merlot.

Columbia Crest H3 - "Opens with aromas of raspberries, black pepper and earthy tones which lead to flavors of chocolate covered cherries." WS 91 pts.

Darioush - Beautifully complex and syrupy. The Wall Street Journal's "Tastings" column raved: "This was the single most memorable wine from our trip to Napa and Sonoma tasting rooms last summer and the best Merlot we tasted all year."

Derenoncourt - Celebrated winemaker and consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is the brains behind the lush, vibrant offering. 130 beans, but Wine Spectator raves about it.

Duckhorn - Another big gun. Here's what the winemaker says: "The flavors are dominated by ripe berry, plum, and raspberry complemented by toasty oak, caramel, and vanilla." Wine Spectator says 90 points of the 2002. (And their second label, Decoy, is a great, everyday Merlot).

Hall - A Napa winner. They take the fruit from three of their cooler vineyards. The wine has a dash of... 6% Cabernet, 5% Syrah, and 1% Cab Franc, and maybe that's what make it expressive and balanced. 

Hedges "Three Vineyards" - Another Washington winner. 90 points Wine Enthusiast. Available at K&L Wine.

Liparita - Gorgeous Napa Merlot. Rich but not too big, syrupy, smooth, complex but friendly. Wine Spectator, Editor's Pick 2001 Merlot. This wine will hug you, seduce you and give you a kiss goodnight. Sadly, they are saying goodnight merlot. So snap up the old stuff.

Matanzas Creek - Good not great. The winemaker waxes about "melted toffee notes that complement the rich bouquet of black fruits."

Nelms Road/Woodward Canyon - Both the first and second label of this Walla Walla (Washington) winery are juicy, fruit forward winners. Nelms Road was a recent Food & Wine winner "Best Wine under $20."

Newton Claret - A bargain at around $16 a bottle. Bordeaux (or Claret) blend. Merlot-based, with 35% cabernet and 1% syrah for good measure. What it lacks in distinctiveness it makes up in plain ole drinkability. 93 pts WE.

Neyers - Pedigreed Californian. Also known for their Syrah. Plus Byrd-Cooper, French style Merlot.

Rancho Sisquoc - From Santa Barbara. Edward Robinson's favorite. Try Central Coast Wines.

Paumanok - Long Island, yes Long Island.

Pahlmeyer - Another Napa winner.

Pride Mountain - "An openly seductive style, with ripe currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit shaded by splashy mocha, espresso bean and oak flavors. It’s complex and concentrated, but also quite tannic, so if you pull the cork tonight, decant an hour," says James Laube, Wine Spectator. WS 93 points. RP 92 points. ($60 plus).

Rombauer - Balanced, dense, mocha and ripe plum. A winner at around $27. (Thanks to Watershed, new favorite Atlanta restaurant).

Selene - Napa. Thanks for writing in, HS.

Shafer - Good, expensive.

Sherwood House Vineyards - Another Long Island winery. WS 88 points. Under $20.

Switchback Ridge - Napa

Tamarack Cellars "Firehouse Red" - Columbia Valley, WA. (Note, this is not even mostly merlot, but we think it belongs on this list anyway). The winery says: "Which varietal is lending which notes? Who cares." You'll taste cab, syrah, merlot and a dash of cab franc." 90 points and #49 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2010: "Supple and open-textured, brimming with gorgeous plum and currant..." Try K&L. Read RJ's post.

Trefethen - A classic American merlot: big, ripe, deep, rich, round. (San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition winner). At $25 a bottle, a bargain. Try WineChateau.

Twomey - Another robust Napa Valley contender, from the Silver Oak gang. WA 91-93 points.

Verite - Top of the line. If you're feeling flush. Bordeaux style micro-crus. All score well above 90 points with Parker, Tanzer and their ilk.

Warnke Cellars - Napa bargain. Fruit-forward style, full mouthfeel, supple with a welcoming nose. New world style.

Whitehall Lane - Good, bang for buck Merlot and top-end Leonardi.

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See also: South African Merlots

Wine Spectator 2007 Merlot Report

"Merlots Worth the Money" - Forbes

The Sideways Effect on Merlot is Mostly Dead -  Steve Heimoff