Merlot

This smooth, juicy red, known for its plum flavours, is far too often underestimated. Romain Bourger, head sommelier at The Vineyard, picks his four favourite merlots.

The Grape

As the second most planted red variety after cabernet sauvignon, it has a bit of a bad reputation for making bulk or overly ripe wines – but it’s worth remembering this is the grape behind the wines of Pétrus and Château Le Pin. Capable of greatness, it thrives in Pomerol in the Bordelais region of France, making world class wines. It delivers some fantastic everyday bottles, too.

The Taste

It can be juicy, packed with notes of plum, damson and violet for easy drinking. But it can also have complex notes of mocha, leather and, when aged, black truffle. The tannins are velvety and it tends to have a very silky texture on the palate.

The Pairings

As a medium to full-bodied red wine, merlot pairs well with meat in general and is especially good with game such as pheasant, goose, venison and wild boar. When aged, it can be superb with mushroom-based dishes, and New World wines can also work with sweet and salty food. Try adding a splash to cherry or plum compote to serve as a condiment for a meaty dish.

The Vines

It’s found all over the world, but home is Bordeaux, especially Pomerol. In some regions, such as Médoc, it’s blended with cabernet sauvignon to soften the harder tannins. Some great merlots also hail from California, Chile, South Africa and Australia.

2018 MERLOT, DE MARTINO ESTATE, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE

A stunning merlot made by one of the finest and most dynamic wineries in Chile from grapes grown in the Maipo Valley. The palate is ripe, perfumed and well balanced. Fruit-driven with notes of plum, cassis and violet, it has a delicate spiciness due to ageing in oak barrels.

Available at:£9.95, oldbridgewine.co.uk

2018 MERLOT, DE MARTINO ESTATE, MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE

2019 PIEVI BOLGHERI ROSSO, FABIO MOTTA, TUSCANY, ITALY

The Bolgheri area in Tuscany has become famous for making amazing wines from Bordeaux varietals known as ‘Super Tuscan’ in the likes of sassicaia, ornellaia and solaia. Merlots from this region have a great concentration of fruit as well as a mouth-watering minerality.

Available at:£19.50, thegoodwineshop.co.uk

2019 PIEVI BOLGHERI ROSSO, FABIO MOTTA, TUSCANY, ITALY

2016 MERLOT, COLUMBIA WINERY, WASHINGTON, USA

Washington state wines offer amazing value for money, and Columbia was one of the pioneering wineries to plant vineyards in the eastern part of the state in the Sixties. This Merlot has notes of plums, ripe red fruit and a hint of cocoa. The palate is rich but well balanced with a long finish.

Available at:£19, vineyardcellars.com

2016 MERLOT, COLUMBIA WINERY, WASHINGTON, USA

2013 MT VEEDER MERLOT, MT BRAVE, NAPA VALLEY, USA

An unapologetically Californian style. This has intense, ripe, dark fruit notes such as cassis, damson and blackberry and ripe tannins, which bring an amazing balance to the wine. The palate is velvety and is packed with aromas of vanilla, chocolate and spices.

Available at:£79.99, majestic.co.uk

2013 MT VEEDER MERLOT, MT BRAVE, NAPA VALLEY, USA

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