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September 25, 2020 By Jana Leave a Comment

Wines for National Merlot Month

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National Merlot Month Wines

October is National Merlot Month. 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.

Waterbrook Wines 2016 Reserve Merlot

Photo Credit: waterbrook.orderport.net

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

Photo Credit: stsupery.com

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.

Killari 2019 Merlot

Photo Credit: wineinsiders.com

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.

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H3 2017 Merlot

Photo Credit: https://www.h3wines.com/

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. 

Bonterra Organic Vineyards 2018 Merlot

Photo Credit: www.bonterra.com

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.

McIntyre Vineyards 2015 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot 

Photo Credit: www.mcintyrevineyards.com

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.

Decoy 2018 Sonoma County Merlot 

Photo Credit: www.decoywines.com
This lush and inviting Merlot displays layers of black cherry, blueberry, and plum underscored by dark chocolate, cedar, and mineral notes. On the palate, balanced acidity adds poise and elegance, while silky tannins carry the wine to a fruitful and concentrated finish.

Duckhorn Vineyards 2017 Napa Valley Merlot

Photo Credit: www.duckhorn.com
A classic expression of Napa Valley Merlot, this wine offers alluring aromas of lush cherry, raspberry, cocoa, and freshly baked pie crust. The cherry and raspberry notes are echoed on the silky palate, where fine-grained tannins and flavors of ripe plum, blueberry, licorice, and subtle baking spice draw the wine to a long, elegant finish.
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Northstar Winery 2016 Merlot Columbia Valley 

Photo Credit: www.northstarwinery.com
The 2016 vintage has rich concentrated aromas of black cherry, plum, mint, cedar, and chocolate that lead into flavors of black raspberry and vanilla. The wine is big and bold and was created to enjoy now, or for many years to come as it will age gracefully. Enjoy! Pair with herbed leg of lamb, beef, and grilled vegetables.

Barnett Vineyards 2018 Spring Mountain Merlot

Photo Credit: www.barnettvineyards.com

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).

Ehlers Estate 2017 Merlot

Photo Credit: www.ehlersestate.com

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.

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Browne Family Vineyards Merlot

Photo Credit: brownefamilyvineyards.com

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.

Markham 2017 Napa Valley Vineyards Merlot

Photo Credit: markhamvineyards.com

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.

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Jana Seitzer is a full-time mom to 4 amazing kids, wife, writer, photographer, marketer, designer, and social media maven. She loves to travel all over the world—solo and with her family—and tell stories about her travel adventures, adventures that often involve a glass of wine or whisky.
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Filed Under: wine Tagged With: merlot, napa, napa valley, Sonoma

About Jana

Jana Seitzer is a full-time mom to 4 amazing kids, wife, writer, photographer, marketer, designer, and social media maven. She loves to travel all over the world—solo and with her family—and tell stories about her travel adventures, adventures that often involve a glass of wine or whisky.

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