Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

More 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. The best previously featured Merlots we've tasted, starting with our highest rated wines.



Cosentino Winery
2002 Reserve Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
15.5/20

______________________________________________

Korbin Kameron Vineyards
2004 Mount Veeder Merlot
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20

$46

______________________________________________

PlumpJack
2004 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20

______________________________________________

Trefethen
2002 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20

______________________________________________

D'Argenzio
2002 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

______________________________________________

Grgich Hills
Merlot 2003 Estate Grown
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

______________________________________________

Hogue Cellars

2003 Reserve Merlot
Columbia Valley, WA
14/20

______________________________________________

Irony

2002 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

______________________________________________

Mayacamas
2001 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

______________________________________________

Pietra Santa Winery
2003 Merlot
Cienega Valley, CA
14/20
$15

______________________________________________

Robledo Family Winery
1999 Merlot
Carneros, CA
14/20

______________________________________________

Sagelands
1998 Merlot
Columbia Valley, WA
14/20

______________________________________________

Beaulieu Vineyard
2004 Coastal Estates Merlot
California
13.5/20
$9

_____________________________________________

Brucher
1999 Merlot
Santa Barbara County, CA
13.5/20

______________________________________________

Canoe Ridge
2000 Merlot
Columbia Valley, WA

13.5/20

______________________________________________

William Hill Winery
2002 Merlot
Napa Valley, CA

13.5/20

______________________________________________

Casa Nuestra
1999 Napa Valley Estate Merlot
Napa, CA
13/20

______________________________________________

Pighin
1998 Merlot Friuli Grave
Friuli, Italy
13/20

______________________________________________

Summerland Winery
2001 Merlot
Central Coast, CA
13/20

______________________________________________

Current list of Top Merlot
More
Top Rated Wines


*Merlot photo by Michael Clarke

 
(Updated: 03/21/12 BH)

TOP 10 BRUNCH WINES

Looking for a bottle to enjoy with weekend brunch? Our selection of brunch wines includes a variety of wines all priced at $20 or less.

TOP 10 SPRING BEERS

Celebrate the arrival of springtime with traditional maibocks from Germany and other seasonal beers from some of America's finest craft breweries.