Merlot
If Merlot isn’t the most famous red, it is the most international. Legendary Merlots command top dollar but even the cheapest are reliably approachable and plummy. Not always as complex as its equally famous cousin Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot’s trump is ripening early - making drinkable wines in any climate. Hot climates like America allow hedonistically (over)ripe, jammy Merlots with deep colour and soft tannins, while moderate to cool climates like New Zealand produce Merlots with plush fruit but more helpful acid freshness. In its homeland of Bordeaux, Merlot often blends plumpness into more tannic Cabernet, though in Bordeaux’s legendary left bank wines, where Merlot dominates, it is picked not-too-late to preserve the acid and tannin structure for aging.
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2016 Elephant Hill Hawkes Bay Merlot Cab Malbec
Raymond Chan
A gorgeously plush and stylish red from a great vintage in Hawkes Bay. It is led by bright-fruited Merlot, in which the ripeness of a hot year is enlivened by real freshness and structure for a ... read more
Elsewhere up to $36.99 Save $7.00 $29.99 in mixed 6+ or $33.99 per bottle -
2020 Boneline Pink Noise Rose
Cameron Douglas MS
A new Rose from a stylish Waipara producer. The Pink Noise has a softly dry palate that is one of the finest in the Rose genre this summer, made from mostly Pinot Noir and Merlot. Very cool and ... read more$29.99 in mixed 6+ or $33.99 per bottle -
2018 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot
Richard Caro
This Merlot shows why Craggy Range are so classy. The hot and dry Gimblett Gravels is probably the best spot in NZ for this variety, but instead of making an over-rich style they follow Bordeaux ... read moreElsewhere up to $38.99 Save $6.00 $32.99 in mixed 6+ or $36.99 per bottle -
2018 Chateau La Chenade Lalande de Pomerol
James Suckling
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2021. La Chenade is a staff and customer favourite, in a really flowing and defined Bordeux style for a modest price. Mostly ... read more
$39.99 per bottle -
2019 La Chenade Lalande de Pomerol
James Suckling
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2022. A staff and customer favourite, La Chenade is a flowing and juicy Bordeaux for a modest price. Mostly Merlot from sandier ... read more
$39.99 per bottle -
2019 Saintayme Saint-Emilion
James Suckling
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2022. A plump and rich Merlot from Saint Emilion, this is very serious wine for the price. Quality vineyards have been ... read more
$40.00 per bottle -
2016 Ch. La Dauphine Fronsac
Antonio Galloni's Vinous
A lush and dark-fruited Merlot from one of the best producers in Fronsac. Steeped in history, the La Dauphine estate sources this wine from their vines of 33 years average age, with very decent ... read more$44.99 in mixed 6+ or $49.99 per bottle -
2018 Ch. Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol
Antonio Galloni's Vinous
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2021. Les Cruzelles is owned by Denis Durantou and located within sight from his famous Pomerol estate, L'Eglise Clinet. ... read more
$54.99 per bottle -
2019 Haut Brisson Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Jeff Leve
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2022. A rich and generous style of Merlot from Bordeaux's Saint Emilion. Because the estate produces no reserve wine, this ... read more
$55.00 per bottle -
2019 Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol
Decanter
En Primeur product: order now for arrival mid 2022. Les Cruzelles is owned by Denis Durantou and located within sight from his famous Pomerol estate, L'Eglise Clinet. A ... read more
$55.00 per bottle