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Top Rated Merlot

Merlot grapes growing the French wine region of Bourg AOC on the right bank of Bordeaux.

Merlot is the most widely cultivated grape in the Bordeaux region. The name is derivative of an Old French word for "young blackbird" (“merle”), probably to indicate the dark color of the grape. The medium-bodied wine often has notes of red berries, blackberry, strawberry, black cherry and plum, as well as hints of cedar, tobacco, chocolate and fruitcake. Here are the best Merlots we've tasted, starting with our highest rated wines.

Duckhorn Vineyards
2010 Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
16.5/20
$90

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Decoy
2008 Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
16/20
$75


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Mt. Brave
2008 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
15.5/20

$60

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Duckhorn Vineyards
2010 Atlas Peak Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
15/20

$70

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Emmolo
2011 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
15/20

$58

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Korbin Kameron
2007 Merlot
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20

$35

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Paradigm
2008 Merlot
Oakville, CA
15/20

$44

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PlumpJack
2010 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
15/20

$52

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Terra Blanca
2007 Signature Series Merlot
Red Mountain, Washington
15/20

$36

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Chappellet
2006 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$30

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Grgich Hills Estate Winery
2011 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$41

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Januik
2010 Columbia Valley Merlot
Columbia Valley, Washington
14.5/20
$25

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MacRostie
2005 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$45

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Matanzas Creek Winery
2005 Merlot
Bennett Valley, CA
14.5/20
$49

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Rosenthal the Malibu Estate
2006 Malibu Newton Canyon Merlot, Devon Vineyard
Malibu, CA
14.5/20
$26

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Shafer
2011 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$50

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Steven Kent Winery
2010 Small-Lot Merlot, Ghielmetti Vineyard
Livermore Valley, CA
14.5/20
$50

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Waterstone
2007 Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$18

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Christian Moueix
2005 Merlot
Bordeaux, France
14/20

$12

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Bedell Cellars
2009 Merlot
North Fork of Long Island, New York
14/20

$30

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Duckhorn Vineyards
2005 Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

$52

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Educated Guess
2012 Napa Valley Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

$20

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Ehlers Estate
2006 Estate Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20
$45

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Francis Coppola
2006 Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot
California
14/20
$18

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Seven Hills
2007 Merlot
Columbia Valley, Washington
14/20
$22



Previously featured Merlot

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Top Rated Wines

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