Category: Merlot

Crossfork Creek Merlot 2016

93
Crossfork Creek
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2016
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $19.99

Tasting Notes: This wine has a beautiful nose and palate of blueberries, blackberries and some nice toasted oak notes. Has fantastic power, balance and a lingering finish that’s impressive to say the least.
Crossfork Creek Merlot 2016

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Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 2015

93
Pride Mountain Vineyards
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $62

Tasting Notes: Aromatics of licorice, leather and blackberries jump out of the glass. On the palate you get plum, raspberries and cocoa all up front, with a floral-and-cinnamon spice mid-palate lift. As the wine finishes you get a balanced acidity with wonderful silky tannins that deliver enough grip to please any bold-red drinker.
Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 2015

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Paradigm Merlot

95
Paradigm Merlot
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Oakville
Retail Price: $59.99

Tasting Notes: Strong aromas of red berries, black cherries, spice and vanilla lead to an outstanding wine with elegant ripe plum and blueberry. Complex flavors also include rich blackberry cobbler, with the berries, brown sugar and vanilla, along with sandalwood incense and a hint of cocoa. This is an impressive wine with big, yet fine, texture and a lengthy finish. 
Paradigm Merlot

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Bend Merlot 2015

88
Bend
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $9

Tasting Notes: This wine launches with big flavors of plum and black cherry. The lush fruits are balanced with a long and smooth finish. This is the perfect wine for buyers looking for outstanding value without a hefty price.
Bend Merlot 2015

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Beyer Ranch Merlot Central Coast 2013

89
Beyer Ranch
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Central Coast
Retail Price: $11

Tasting Notes: Perfectly balanced merlot. This wine features classic varietal character. Flavors of black cherry, plum, blackberry, leading to a soft finish with subtle tannins.
Beyer Ranch Merlot Central Coast 2013

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Northstar Merlot 2012

94
Northstar
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: The epitome of great Washington merlot. Dark cherry and vanilla flavors work so nice together in this wine. The perfect balance of oak makes the finish long and memorable. Big, bold and built to last. Lay this wine down to enjoy for years to come.
Northstar Merlot 2012

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Northstar Merlot 2012

94
Northstar
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: Washington
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: The epitome of great Washington Merlot. Dark cherry and vanilla flavors work so nice together. The perfect balance of oak makes the finish long and memorable. Big, bold and built to last. Lay this wine down to enjoy for years to come.
Northstar Merlot 2012

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Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard Merlot 2011

94
Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Retail Price: $77.99

Tasting Notes: A complex and fascinating wine that walks the line between new and old world. It has a cool, finessed character wherein red currant, bing cherries, graphite, espresso bean and cacao nibs are on display. Incredibly pure. For my taste, this is best Cali Merlot I can recall.
Matthiason Red Hen Vineyard Merlot 2011

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Frog’s Leap Merlot 2012

94
Frog’s Leap
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $42.95

Tasting Notes: An elegant, superb Merlot. Full-bodied dark fruit with hints of plum and raspberry. Complex and balanced, with perfectly integrated tannins, make this one delicious drink.
Frog’s Leap Merlot 2012

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Maison Nicolas Merlot 2015

95
Maison Nicolas
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2015
Country of Origin: France
Appellation: Pays D’oc I.G.P.
Retail Price: $10.99

Tasting Notes: Maison Nicolas has long been famous for importing excellent French wines that represent great quality and value. This Merlot has lovely floral/black fruit aromas. It is soft and ripe on the palate with hints of blackberry, coffee and allspice. The finish is long with a perfect balance of fruit/acids/tannins. Although a modern style, there’s a hint of terroir that says “Languedoc”! An unbeatable value!
Maison Nicolas Merlot 2015

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Chateau Fontbernard Montagne Merlot 2010

95
Chateau Fontbernard Montagne
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2010
Appellation: Saint-Emilion
Retail Price: $18.99

Tasting Notes: A truly classic Right Bank Rouge, 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvuignon. Soft, bright aromas and flavors of cherry, red currant and plum meld with hints of spice, sweet tobacco and finish with supple tannins. There are some lovely earth/mineral notes surrounding the whole that define the appellation. The 2010 is very approachable now, but will cellar nicely for three-to-five years.
Chateau Fontbernard Montagne Merlot 2010

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Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2013

96
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa
Retail Price: $98.99

Tasting Notes: It is probably fitting that one of the original pioneers of Merlot continues to produce this classic version sourced from one of the valley’s original single-vineyard sites. Winemaker Renee Ary takes a classical approach, adding
balanced amounts of Cabernet, Malbec, and Petite Verdot, and then aging for 18 months in rich French oak. A classic new-world Merlot, rich, complex, bursting with lean silky fruit.
Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2013

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