Best Merlot Wine: 15 Wines from The US, Italy, And France

A couple enjoys the best merlot wine together

Finding the best merlot wine to drink is one of the joys of life as a wine lover. Since Merlot is one of the most popular red wine grapes globally, there are many options. To keep life organized, this post will focus on three wine regions. According to Wine Searcher, the top three wine regions for Merlot are the USA, Italy, and France.

About The Best Merlot Wine Ranking

This quick guide to the best Merlot wine is best on a few criteria. First, the list focuses on the best merlot wine available today. If you are looking for a historical wine perspective, I recommend reading The Billionaire’s Vinegar. Second, this list mainly focuses on affordable wines. You can find delicious wine for a reasonable price if you know where to look. Third, I have mainly used the Decanter Wine Awards to develop this list since these awards have excellent coverage. Since this guide is focused on the best Merlot wine, be prepared to spend a bit more. First-time wine drinkers might prefer to start with the following post on the best beginner wines – it covers red wines and white wines.

The Best Merlot Wine From The United States

America is a major global producer of Merlot. Whether you like Napa Valley Merlot or wine from the cool climates of the Pacific Northwest, American Merlot has plenty to offer.

1 Forthright Merlot

  • Producer: Forthright
  • Price: $125 according to Wine Searcher
  • Region: Napa Valley, California
  • Year: 2014
  • Recognition: Gold Award from the Decanter Wine Awards and score of 96 out of 100
  • Tasting Notes: According to Decanter, this 100% Merlot wine has “dark fruits with cinnamon, vanilla spice, and figgy sweetness” according to Decanter. If you are looking for a starter wine, the next pick might be the right one for you.

2) St Supéry

  • Producer: St Supéry
  • Price: ranges between $20 to $50, according to Wine Searcher.
  • Region: Rutherford, California
  • Year: 2016
  • Recognition: this wine won the silver award from Decanter and a score of 91 out of 100.
  • Tasting Notes: With 14.5% alcohol content, this dry red wine is noted for its black fruit quality (i.e., blackcurrants and blackberries). It may be easier to find in your local wine shop because of it local wine shops due to its score and price point.

3) Newton the Puzzle

  • Producer: Newton
  • Price: $120 per bottle, according to Wine Searcher.
  • Region: Napa Valley, California
  • Year: 2017
  • Recognition: This Napa Valley red wine earned a score of 92 out of 100 and the silver award from the Decanter World Wine Awards.
  • Tasting Notes: Expect to taste blackberry fruit and spicy notes in this award-winning red wine from Napa. Note that this wine bottle has 7% Merlot. That makes it an interesting example of the Merlot-based blends that we often see with French grapes.

4) Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard

  • Producer: L’Ecole No 41
  • Price: $54 per bottle, according to Wine Searcher.
  • Region: Walla Walla Valley, Washington State
  • Year: 2016
  • Recognition: This top-quality wine from the Walla Walla Valley earned a score of 91 out of 100 from Decanter and the Silver Award.
  • Tasting Notes: As with other Merlot-based Blends, this American wine reminds a wine enthusiast of Bordeaux blends. Expect to taste blackcurrant and redcurrant in your glass.

5) Frei Brothers Reserve Merlot 2018

  • Producer: Frei Brothers
  • Price: $31 (estimated price)
  • Region: Dry Creek Valley, California
  • Year: 2018
  • Recognition: This 90% Merlot wine earned a score of 97 out of 100 and the platinum award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: An appealing mix of black fruit and ripe red fruit qualities.

The Best Merlot Wines From Italy

Legendary for its beautiful wines, Italy has produced wine for thousands of years. It is wise to start with classic Italian wine grapes like Chianti in your approach to wine education. Italy can produce many different wines, including Merlot, as a warm climate for wine. Look for the following award-winning Merlots in your local wine shop.

1) Il Seggio

  • Producer: Poggio al Tesoro
  • Price: $37 per bottle, according to Wine Searcher. In the world of affordable wines, it is rare to see this combination of an affordable price and a great score.
  • Region: Tuscany
  • Year: 2017
  • Recognition: This Tuscan red wine received an impressive score of 96 out of 100 from Decanter and a Gold Award. Since it is not a perfect 100-point score, finding this wine in your local wine stop will probably be easier.
  • Tasting Notes: The Decanter tasting notes are quite enticing: “complex, vibrant palate of seamless tannins around dark chocolate, sweet spices, plums, and bright blue fruit.”

2) Dracone Riserva

  • Producer: Palazzona di Maggio
  • Price: I could not find a price! Check with your local wine shop to see if they can find it for you.
  • Region: Tuscany
  • Year: 2011
  • Recognition: This 14.5 alcohol by volume Italian red wine has earned the gold award from Decanter and a score of 95 out of 100.
  • Tasting Notes: Expect a firm tannin structure in this red wine, along with other typical Merlot wine notes like black plums, currants, and cloves.

3) Merlot di Santa Maria

  • Producer: Vignamaggio
  • Price: $50 (estimated based on similar wines from the same producer)
  • Region: Tuscany
  • Year: 2016
  • Recognition: This Italian red wine earned a score of 92 out of 100 and a silver award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: The 2016 wine has developed some exciting potential. Expect to taste both dark fruit like blackcurrant and plum and non-fruit notes such as leather and licorice.

4) Muròla, Brunforte, Marche, Le Marche, Italy, 2013

  • Producer: Muròla
  • Price: $70 (estimated)
  • Region: Le Marche
  • Year: 2013
  • Recognition: This Italian red wine earned a score of 95 out of 100 and the Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: This 100% Merlot wine with 15% alcohol has black cherry and dry herbs notes.

5) Levia Gravia

  • Producer: Tenuta Caccia al Piano 1868
  • Price: $60 (estimated)
  • Region:  Tuscany
  • Year: 2016
  • Recognition: This Tuscan red wine earned a score of 95 out of 100 and the Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: With a 14.5% alcohol level, this wine is another excellent example of what’s possible in Merlot-based blends. The wine comprises 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. The Decanter tasting notes mention fine-grained tannins and red cherry. This Tuscan wine is also considered similar to Merlot-based blends in Bordeaux.

The Best Merlot Wine From France: 5 Bottles To Seek Out At The Wine Shop

France is famous for its Merlot-based red wine blends in the Bordeaux region. These wines are typically aged in French oak barrels. As explained in the post, Why are French Wines Expensive? It can be challenging to find inexpensive wines from France. Don’t let that perception hold you back; there are plenty of everyday wines from France worth trying in your quest for the perfect wine (for one idea, see my chateau lamarzelle cormey review).

1) Clos des Quatre Vents

  • Producer: Vignobles des Quatre Vents
  • Price: I could not find a price for this one – ask for it at your wine shop
  • Region:  Margaux, Bordeaux
  • Year: 2018
  • Recognition: This Bordeaux wine earned a 95 out of 100 score and the Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: The blended (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot) wine offers a combination of blue plum, vanilla, and spice.

2) Château Moulin de Bernat

  • Producer: Frederike Bouzon
  • Price: $20 (it seems too good to be true!)
  • Region:  Bordeaux
  • Year: 2019
  • Recognition: This Bordeaux wine has 13% alcohol. It has earned a score of 95 out of 100 and the Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: If you enjoy the flavors of plum, this wine is worth a taste. The wine offers a combination of cherry and plum fruit flavors. Instead of aggressive tannins, expect to enjoy fine-grained tannins.

3) Jules Lebègue Organic

  • Producer: Jules Lebègue
  • Price: could not find the price – ask at your local wine shop
  • Region:  Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
  • Year: 2019
  • Recognition: This Bordeaux red wine has a 13.5% alcohol level. It has earned the Gold Award and a score of 95 out of 100 from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: This 90% Merlot-based wine is noted for its “classy plums, blackberries, and sweet leather” in the Decanter wine awards.

4) La Maze Merlot

  • Producer: Comte de Thun
  • Price: $30 estimated
  • Region:  Southwest France
  • Year: 2012
  • Recognition: This 100% Merlot wine has earned a score of 95 out of 100 and the Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: Expect a blend of fruit flavors, including plum and blackcurrant. The wine also has spice notes.

5) Thomas Barton Réserve Privée

  • Producer: Barton & Guestier
  • Price: I could not find the price
  • Region:  Médoc, Bordeaux
  • Year: 2016
  • Recognition: This Bordeaux wine has earned a score of 95 out of 100 and a Gold Award from Decanter.
  • Tasting Notes: With 49% Merlot content, this red wine features spice and a blend of fruit flavors, including cherry and blackcurrant.

Want To Know More About Merlot?

Now that you know more about the best Merlot wines, you might still have some other questions. After all, an aggregated critic score can only tell you so much. To deepen your understanding of Merlot wine, it is helpful to compare it to other popular red wine varieties.

Pinot Noir vs Merlot

Discover how Pinot Noir compared to Merlot in this overview. You’ll also discover recommended food pairings.

Malbec vs Merlot

Curious how Merlot compares to Malbec in terms of layers of flavor? Use this guide to understand the differences better.

Zinfandel vs Merlot

Find out where Merlot and Zinfandel wines are made worldwide and how they taste.

With these three comparisons, you’ll be equipped to find excellent wines and recommend bottles to first-time wine drinkers.

Best Merlot Wine: 15 Wines from The US, Italy, And France
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