Merlot wine is among the most popular red wines in the world. The luscious taste and low tannins of Merlot make it easy to drink.
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Merlot Wine Types
Due to the popularity of the Merlot grape, most wine-producing regions in the world produce Merlot wine. In fact, winemakers in both cool and warm regions produce the wine. These regions include Spain, South Africa, United States, New Zealand and Italy. As a result, Merlot wine tastes differ across regions, with cool regions producing full-bodied, with high tannins, high alcohol, and earthy flavors. However, warmer regions producing medium-bodied wine with moderate alcohol levels and fruity flavors.
Furthermore, the viticulture practiced in the wine regions also influences how Merlot wine tastes, there are three Merlot types. The first is a fruity, smooth wine with little tannins; the second has a more tannic structure and is fruity while the third is high in tannins and brawny.
To savor some of the best Merlot types in the world, you should buy one of the following top 10 bottles of 2017.
Thomas Barton, Réserve Privée, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2014
The Réserve Privée comes in an exquisite bottle that reflects the classic elegance of the 18th Century. Furthermore, the delicious wine has an alluring deep garnet red color with violet highlights. Once opened, the perfumed aroma of ripe black plums with hints of pepper and vibrant cassis transport you to Bordeaux. The palate has delicate tannins with coffee and tobacco notes leading to a long finish.
Price: $33
Cantina Monti, Il Canto Della Terra Merlot, Ticino, Switzerland, 2013
If you are looking for a fruity, elegant wine with a solid structure, this wine is for you. To begin, its fruity with intense aromas of cherries, raisins, raspberries and rose petals. In addition, the palate is firm and exhibits a great density with elegant tannins that end in a long soft finish.
Price: $100.
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In addition, the bouquet opens up like a sunflower with aromas of blackberries, spices, wildflowers, oak, and vanilla.
Ducourt, Château Larroque, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France, 2015
The wine received the highest distinction in the Best Value Bordeaux Red category at the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards. It’s an attractive and delicious wine with a seductive nose of dark red fruits. The palate has undertones of dark cherry with a silky tannic grip that leads to a medium finish.
Price: $13.
Les Terrasses de Saint Christophe, Saint-Emilion GrandCru, Bordeaux, France, 2014
Are you looking for a delicious wine with impeccable structure? Look no further than this attractive ruby colored wine. It has an impressive bouquet of fruity aromas and intense notes of cherries and black plums on the palate. Hints of coffee and chocolate mixed with fine-grained tannins lead to a crisp finish.
Price: $23
Marks & Spencer, Koha Merlot-Cabernet Franc, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2015
The Koha Merlot-Cabernet Franc is a vibrant and incredibly youthful, fruity wine. Furthermore, it has an intriguing bouquet of dark plums, cloves, mocha and black fruits. In addition, the palate is juicy and fresh with notes of oak and structured tannins.
Price: $12
Villa Maria, Reserve Merlot, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2014
At the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards, this wine received a platinum award for its category. As well, it is an impressive and rich wine with an intense bouquet of plums, black fruit, oak, and vanilla. In the end, the smooth yet concentrated palate has hints of fruit and oak, leading to a velvety finish.
Price: $50
Arcanum, Valadorna, Toscana, Tuscany, Italy, 2011
In a glass, this wine has a gorgeous intense dark red color. In addition, the bouquet opens up like a sunflower with aromas of blackberries, spices, wildflowers, oak, and vanilla. Not to mention, on the palate its full-bodied and velvety, with hints of cherries, black pepper, and chocolate. Equally important, the finish is complex, fantastic and long.
Price: $172
Gialdi, Sassi Grossi Merlot, Ticino, Switzerland, 2013
First off, made in the traditional Merlot-style, the bouquet of this wine is gorgeous with notes of cassis, Morello cherries, fine oak, plum, and coffee. As well, this Merlot wine is warm on the palate, with a pleasant acidity leading to a smoky finish. Furthermore, a pleasant, well-balanced wine that will age beautifully for a long time, perfect to drink through to 2021.
Price: $ 52
Brivio, Platinum, Ticino, Switzerland, 2013
Although considered one of the most expensive red wines from Ticino this wine is worth every dollar. To begin, it has an attractive bright ruby color with a brilliant purple hue. As well, the nose is elegant with intense notes of dark fruit, raspberry, toffee, and spice. Furthermore, it’s rich and silky on the palate with ripe tannins that balance well with oak leading to a long finish reminiscent of a fine Bordeaux.
Price: $ 90
Château Cadet-Bon, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, 2014
The winemaker, Antoine Mariau, describes it as a wine of balance between charming aromas and a tender, long finish. As well, this beautiful deep ruby colored wine has a lovely ripeness on the nose with notes of black fruits and floral hints. In the end, the seductive palate has velvety tannins that lead to a fresh and persistent finish.
Price: $29
To finish, merlot wine tastes like no other red wine in the world, hence it is famous. With this in mind, buy one of any of the award-winning Merlot wines here, and experience the luscious flavors of the wine.