Merlot Wine Values

Posted May 2009

Merlot is one of the five Merlot varietals that is often used as a blend to add plum and fruiy richness to soften the strength of Cabernet Sauvignon. More supple but with higher alcohol, Merlot's softer tannins make it more approachable in its youth than Cabernet Sauvignon. Popular in that it's easy to pronounce, neutral enough to pair with many foods, but also prone to dilution and dull wines.

Although the grape was famously maligned in the movie "Sideways," you have to have respect its role as one of Merlot's Big Five: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. While there are quaffable examples at $6 (principally Chilean), there are also collectible examples from the Medoc, St. Emilion and Pomerol, where Petrus fetches $600 upon release.

More so than with Cabernet Sauvignon, winemakers tend to be both liberal and experimental in their use of oak for flavoring Merlot. Several different species of varying origins and degrees of "toastiness" are used to impart flavor.

“Merlot flavors are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon and included fudge, caramel, chocolate, black cherries, plums, smoke, espresso, black currants, baked cherries, licorice leather and cassis. While usually the barrel imparts vanilla, nuts, oak, smokiness and spice.”


Similar wines around the world
Merlot is grown and made principally in: Australia, California, Chile, France (Merlot and Languedoc-Roussillon), Italy (Tre Venezie), New York and Washington State.

Serving Merlot Wines
Merlot is a great red wine for red meats. It has the weight and fruit to match wine-braised stews and roasts and the structure and polish to pair with rare-grilled prime cuts. Bottle temperature should be around 63 degrees.

Merlot wine values from The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator and WineBlueBook

The Wine Advocate recommends these value Merlot wines from the US:

  1. 2005 Chappellet Merlot scored 89 and suggested retail is $29
  2. 2005 Chateau Ste Michelle Merlot Canoe Ridge Estate Vineyard scored 89 and suggested retail is $26
  3. 2006 Ghost Pines Merlot scored 89 and suggested retail is $20
  4. 2005 Havens Wine Cellar Merlot scored 89 and suggested retail is $19
  5. 2006 Sbragia Family Vineyards Merlot Home Ranch scored 89 and suggested retail is $22

WineBlueBook.com recommends these value Merlot wines from the US:

  1. 2006 Longboard, Merlot Russian River Valley DaKine Vineyard scored 90 points and suggested retail is $$20
  2. 2005 Columbia Crest, Merlot Columbia Valley Reserve scored 90 points and suggested retail is $22
  3. 2005 Hogue, Merlot Columbia Valley Genesis scored 88 points and suggested retail is $13
  4. 2005 Milbrandt, Merlot Washington Traditions scored 88 points and suggested retail is $14
  5. 2005 Simi, Merlot Sonoma scored 88 points and suggested retail is $14

The Wine Spectator recommends these value Merlot wines from the US:

  1. 2005 Ryan Patrick Rock Island Red Columbia Valley scored 90 and release price was $15
  2. 2007 Airfield Vineyard Salute Bombshell Red Yakima Valley scored 90 and release price was $16
  3. 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Indian Wells scored 90 and release price was $18
  4. 2005 Gordon Brothers Merlot Columbia Valley scored 91 $18
  5. 2005 Three Rivers Merlot Columbia Valley scored 90 $19
For more information about Merlot wines and other wines we recommend Karen MacNeil's "The Wine Bible." Among wine encyclopedias, it has the distinction of being both authoritative and entertaining. For wine prices we recommend WineSearcher.com and to find wine values, we recommend WineBlueBook.com.