October was declared International Merlot Month in 2012. This year, more than 100 Merlot producers from across the United States and globally joined forces to spread the word of the month-long celebration of Merlot as a distinctive and enduring varietal. The catchphrase for the #MerlotMe.
Fun facts about Merlot:
- Merlot sales are up dramatically from 2.8 million cases sold since 1994. (Nielsen)
- Merlot is one of the top four most purchased red wines in U.S. restaurants. (Winemetrics)
- California Merlot consumption in the U.S. was approximately 19 million cases in 2017. (The Wine
Institute) - Merlot is the third leading California red varietal sold in the U.S. after Cabernet Sauvignon & Red
Blends. (The Wine Institute)
How to Celebrate #MerlotMe in October
- All month long, join the #MerlotMe conversation online by following the holiday’s official social media handles:
Twitter @MerlotMePlease | Instagram @MerlotMe | Facebook @MerlotMeOfficialPage
Merlots We Recommend for #MerlotMe:
Celebrate #MerlotMe in October
October was declared International Merlot Month in 2012. This year, more than 100 Merlot producers from across the United States and globally joined forces to spread the word of the month-long celebration of Merlot as a distinctive and enduring varietal.
It's time to #MerlotME with some Merlot over the next few weeks. Here are some suggestions for you to try!
All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. This post contains promotional consideration from some of the brands included.
The 2019 J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot is medium-dark in color with a ruby hue. Varietal aromas of black plum, black currant, and violet are elevated by a light barrel signature of baking spices and toasted pastry. 14% Malbec in the blend contributes aromatic notes of pomegranate and hibiscus flower while bringing juiciness to the palate.
This versatile wine pairs well with grilled sausage and veggie shish kabobs or creamy spinach and tomato tortellini.
2019 Killari Merlot is quintessential Chilean Merlot. Grown by pioneers in sustainable dry farming.
Markedly middle of the road in tannins and acidity level, Killari Merlot allows it's fruits of black cherry, raspberry, and plum to truly shine. Positioned in the middle of the red wine spectrum, you can pair Merlot with a wide variety of foods.
Our favorites are chicken and roasted vegetables.
Check out the WIne Insiders Half Case of Chilean Reds, including the 2019 Killari Merlot.
Complex aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, and mocha intertwine with subtle notes of violet and mint. This medium-bodied wine is bursting with flavors of plums, red currant, and figs upfront, leading to juicy red fruit on the midpalate. The soft mid-palate finishes with fine, plush tannins highlighted by bright acidity.
A brilliant crimson hue in the glass hints at this Merlot’s generous palate of rich, ripe red fruit. Notes of strawberry and pomegranate are framed by a subtle suggestion of dried herbs. This medium-bodied wine has an elegant tannin structure and a velvety finish.
The 2018 Spring Mountain Merlot is a very bright and fruit-driven wine. The nose is bursting with black cherries and blueberry pie as well as cinnamon toast and caramel. There is some pleasant underpinning eucalyptus and gravel minerality. As always with this wine the mouth is full and rich. The tannins are present but soft as the lush viscosity coats them. The acidity is present but softer than in previous years. There is a wonderful chocolate and cherry finish. This big fruit-driven wine is drinking nicely in its youth but will develop some bottle bouquet over the next 8-9 years (2028-2029).
This medium-bodied Merlot delivers aromas of spice, plum, and blackberry with the perfect balance of earth, cocoa, and ripe black cherry notes on the palate. The complex flavors are followed by a smooth, velvety finish.
Pair with grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, cheesy potatoes, or a tomato-based sauce for a delicious meal.
Markham's Estate Vineyards provide the backbone to this Napa Valley blend, with Oak Knoll’s Little Cannon weighing in with a distinct tart cherry character while Yountville’s Hopper House and Yountville estate vineyards add classic Bing cherry. Together, this showstopper has a lovely balance of candied cherry laced with dark chocolate aromas. Floral fruit runs from strawberry preserves to boysenberry and is accented with an assortment of backing spices. The velvety entry melts like chocolate on the palate providing a silky but dense mouthfeel with a long, intense finish.
The 2017 Ehlers Estate Merlot is a beautifully balanced wine. A blend of 3 different clones, it’s a superb expression of the varietal, which I love to highlight. The wine has a red garnet color with deep layers. Aromas of raspberries, red currant, and candied cherries evolve into vanilla, licorice, and notes of smashed rocks. The oak notes accentuate the red fruit which makes it fragrant and interesting. This wine is medium to full-bodied, with bright acidity and firm tannins. The finish is long and full of candied cherries. Enjoyable now, but lovely in 10-15 years.
This smoky wine opens with aromas of dark, ripe black fruits and dark chocolate introducing flavors of mixed red berries, strawberries, and plum. Velvety smooth with moderate tannins and an elegant finish of cedar and apple pie flavors.
Rutherford Estate Vineyard 2016 Merlot
As a 100% Estate brand, we grow the grapes on our property and they cross the parking lot to the winery crushpad, offering total control of the entire process.
Deep shades of reds and purples present in this single-vineyard Merlot. Aromas of rich ripe blackberry with subtle notes of currant, anise, and charred oak combine with just a hint of graphite. Flavors of black plum and dark mocha, couple with subtle raspberry, espresso, and toasted vanillin barrel. This is a wine of fine texture, terrific length, and structure.
This Alexander Valley Merlot is a big, rich fruity wine with intense plum and blackberry notes on the nose and with lush plum and black fruit flavors and spice notes, finishing with velvety tannins and spice. Red fruit and spice notes from barrel-aged Merlot, this wine was crafted with Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers in mind. It pairs well with woodfired pizzas, steak tacos, and grilled pork chops.
The 2015 Kimberly Vineyard is the epitome of Goldilocks-climate Merlot. It marries the lavish, ripe fruit of a warm site with the elegance and structure of a cool locale. As in previous years, the dominant character traits include blackberry, anise, cassis, and dried currants. Below that is a bed of juicy black fruit and supple, silky tannins. While it drinks well now, this Merlot will continue to evolve and improve over the next decade.
This Columbia Valley Merlot offers expressive notes of blackberry coulis, star anise, vanilla, and cardamom enveloped with savory rosemary. Huckleberry and sweet tobacco on the palate mixed with layers of lush dark berry fruits finish with smooth tannins.
We love cherry. Cherry on the nose as well as aromas of mocha, warm nutty oak, and fleshy ripe black plums. Smoky finish, and cherry on the palate. Lush cherry fruit flavors are backed by a rich, balanced structure for an intensely complex Merlot that finishes with smooth tannins. Consider pairing this with grilled venison tenderloin, roast chicken, veal Porterhouse.
This Napa Valley Merlot has expressive aromas of ripe red and black fruit followed by hints of spice. The supple body and medium tannins envelop flavors of red berry fruit and cherry, which linger on the palate through a long, smooth finish.
Intense aromas of fig and coffee lead to flavors of strawberry jam, plum, and clove. Deep purple in color, this Merlot is full-bodied and will coat your palate with sweet cedar, toasted oak, hazelnut, and cherry on the finish. This versatile Merlot will pair well with anything but will really shine with braised lamb shanks, marbled red meats, or lamb stew.
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So many great varieties of Merlot! I’d like to try the Abeja 2015 Merlot.