For this issue, we asked members of the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel to recommend their favorite merlots. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). If you’re a retail beverage professional who would like to learn about participating in our panel, call Richard Brandes at 212-353-3832, or email him at rbrandes@m2media360.com
FIVE STARS
(98) Verite La Muse 2003 (California). Verite’s Pomerol style merlot La Muse 2003 is finally opening beautifully enough to be enjoyed without decanting; a spicy nose combines blackberry, chocolate and cohiba; seductive and indulgent on the palate, subtle yet complex with a lingering finish; as the tannins have begun to soften, it should reach its peak between now and 2020. ($159)
(96) Leonetti Merlot 2010 (Washington State). Gorgeous nose of black fruits with a lush, balanced and elegant mouthfeel; the finish is epic, lingering for minutes. ($80)
(95) Frog’s Leap Napa Valley Merlot 2009 (California). Dark Plum in color, deep dark cherry and cocoa flavors together produce a very rich and beautiful merlot. ($40)
(94) Shafer Merlot Napa Valley 2009 (California). Father-and-son duo, John and Doug, create this merlot teeming with black fruit, earth and cigar box on the nose; a prime example of a quality Napa merlot; full bodied, lush and balanced. ($53)
(94) Osso Anna Napa Valley Merlot 2009 (California). Once allowed to breathe for at least two hours this wine opens up and offers a true wine-drinking experience; the fruit is married together perfectly and framed in a beautiful house of tannin and acidity. ($23)
(94) Chateau De La Haute Libarde Cotes De Bourg 2009 (France). Made from 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon aged a year in oak barrels, it’s a lovely example of this AOC; rich and earthy, with black fruit aromas and flavors that balance with firm tannins; from a great vintage, this can be cellared for five years or more for optimum enjoyment. ($18)
(94) Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Merlot 2008 (Washington State). Purple, plump and lush; opens with a nose of black current and brambleberry; voluptuous but not flabby, with a fine acid center balanced with dark chocolate. ($20)
(93) Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 2008 (Washington State). Deep royal purple color and a plush velvety mouthfeel balanced with brightness and just enough tannin to complement a rotisserie leg-of-lamb; a well-made, balanced Columbia Valley AVA blend. ($35)
(93) Chateau Bellevue Bordeaux Superieur 2009 (France). Made from 60% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% malbec; nose of lilac and red fruit leads to zesty flavors of currant and blackberry, ending with a hint of spice; firm tannins. ($15)
(93) Angeline Sonoma County Reserve Merlot 2010 (California). This is the companion label of Martin Ray; the fruit is sourced from hillside vineyards in Sonoma County that yield a bold, fruit-forward wine that’s balanced with soft, supple tannins and is simply delicious; enjoy it tonight with a grilled steak. ($14)
(93) Cousino Macul Don Matias Merlot 2010 (Chile). Slightly oaked, this merlot shows excellent complexity and concentration; lush cassis and rich currant flavors fill the palate with dense fruit flavors and a touch of spiciness that lingers on the expressive finish; pairs well with grilled meats and chops. ($16)
(93) Decoy Napa Valley Merlot 2009 (California). Big, bold, aromatic and mouth-filling with layers of subtle ripe blackberry, red cherry and plum. ($27)
(93) Trefethen Oak Knoll District Napa Merlot 2007 (California). The nose on this is amazing: full of violets and red cherry with hints of strawberry and vanilla; at five years old it is still developing; overall it needs time, but all the quality elements are there waiting to meld together; worthy of a glass now, but with each year of cellaring it will improve. ($29)
(93) Yvon Mau Merlot Vins De Pays De L’aude 2010 (France). Vintage after vintage, this 100% varietal wine shows bright, ripe flavors of berry and cherry with hints of tobacco and ‘terroir’ that say ‘Languedoc’; eminently drinkable and a great value. ($10)
(92) Darioush Signature Merlot 2009 (California). Classic black fruit aromas and flavors; big, rich and complex with a long finish that just doesn’t quit. ($56)
(92) Hall Merlot 2006 (California). Succulent and spicy with just the right balance of fruit and acidity; a superb Napa merlot for the price. ($26)
(92) Ballentine Napa Valley Pocai Vineyard Merlot 2009 (California). The bouquet is light but smooth, with a creamy sense to its lovely, ripe black cherry and plum aromas; excellent balance and structure on the palate, with smooth and supple black fruit flavors, silky tannin and a long finish. ($25)
(92) Monticello Estate Merlot 2008 (California). Always considered the ‘Cab Drinkers Merlot,’ this wine showcases and artisan approach while still remaining accessible to the everyday consumer; rich with a spicy backbone; smooth finish. ($25)
(92) Markham Napa Merlot 2008 (California). Markham consistently produces polished reds of high quality; this Napa merlot has deep raspberry and milk chocolate aromas that slide into blackberry, rose, mint, and soft oak notes on the palate; the length is luxurious and the balance is impeccable. ($19)
(92) Martin Ray Diamond Mountain Merlot 2009 (California). A merlot for the cab drinker; beautiful dark fruit, with blackberry, black cherry, currant; layered in are notes of cocoa and spice; firms tannins, elegant silken texture in the mouth. ($15)
FOUR STARS
(91) Chateau Barbe Blanche Lussac St Emilion 2009 (France). From the village of Lussac in the commune of Saint ‘Emilion, this blend of merlot with just a touch of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon offers black cherry and blueberry aromas, good concentration with layers of blackberry, currant with oak nuances sustained by well-rounded tannins that lead to a smooth, balanced finish. ($25)
(91) Goldschmidt Chelsea Merlot 2009 (California). Superstar winemaker Nick Goldschmidt does it again with this amazing effort; drinking like a much more expensive wine, the Chelsea Merlot has layers of flavor and complexity that are sure to impress. ($16)
(90) Twomey Napa Valley Merlot 2007 (California). Blackberry and plum on the nose, with blackberry and plum following through on the taste; medium tannins with a fairly long finish. ($39)
(91) Seven Hills Columbia Valley Merlot 2009 (Washington State). Seven Hills is able to fold in plenty of red and black fruit and vanilla into a silky and luscious wine. ($21)
(91) Chateau Lescalle Bordeaux Superieur 2009 (France). Hailing from the Macau, Ch. Lescalle shows plenty of fruit, but never lets you forget where it comes from. ($17)
(91) Happy Canyon Vineyard Santa Ynez Merlot 2010 (California). Earthy and fruity on the nose; palate offers great balance with vibrant fruit and soft tannins; great varietal expression from the eastern Santa Ynez Valley; the newest AVA in Santa Barbara County is one to watch. ($18)
(91) Compass Merlot 2007 (California). This complex merlot from Sonoma is packed with aromas of your father’s cherry Cavendish pipe tobacco and leather; full bodied, dusty mouthfeel; big juicy wine with earthy leather in the finish. ($13)
(91) Wente Sandstone Merlot 2009 (California). A nice, elegant, well-balanced merlot with polished flavors of black cherry, cassis and plum that showcase Karl Wente’s winemaking skills as well as his management of the fruit coming out of the Livermore Valley; a great value. ($11)
(90) Folie a Deux Sonoma County Merlot 2010 (California). A merlot that doesn’t let you down; lots of big black cherry fruit and layers of accents flavors like vanilla; the tannin and acidity are firm allowing this wine to be enjoyed over time. ($15)
(90) Bridgman Merlot 2008 (Washington State). Ripe with good acidity to balance out the sweet cherry and black plum flavors; exotic spice notes that linger throughout; good structure, nice finish of firm tannins. ($15)
(90) Ghost Pines Sonoma & Napa Merlot 2009 (California). A blend of fruit from Sonoma and Napa; Napa lends structure and Sonoma adds berry fruit; French oak lends coffee and chocolate notes. ($19)
(90) Abbeyville Napa Valley Merlot 2010 (California). Napa Valley at a reasonable price; a seductive aroma; full flavors of cassis and a hint of cocoa with a long finish. ($11)
(90) Mercer Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 (Washington State). A cabernet drinker’s merlot; dry, soft tannins, nice complexity and a long finish. ($20)
(90) Katnook Estate Coonawarra, Founder’s Estate Merlot 2008 (Australia). Earthy truffle notes open the bouquet, and then ripe plum moves in to add some further dimension; full-bodied and quite ripe but there is enough acidity to sharpen things up and enhance the definition across the palate. ($20)
(90) Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2009 (Washington State). Ripe and jammy aromas lead to well-rounded, full-bodied merlot; soft, lingering finish. ($19)
(90) Joseph Carr Napa Valley Merlot 2009 (California). Ripe, boisterous and brambly in the nose, this also displays some herbal undertones leading off until ripe black fruit notes emerge; medium bodied, it is ripe yet dry, and there is a nice tannic edge lending structure and balance; plenty of fruit, even if it seems a bit understated, and good balance. ($19)
(90) Long Board Dakine Vineyard Merlot 2008 (California). The Dakine Vineyard merlot has very ripe fruit and soft rich tannins which produce a well balanced merlot full of texture. ($25)
(90) Benziger Merlot 2009 (California). The sustainable farming at Benziger showcases the merlot; great fruit up front with a velvety texture in a rich finish. ($15)
(90) Lindemans Limestone Coast Reserve Merlot 2009 (Australia). An undervalued wine; good structure with deep and sweet dark cherry and blackberry flavors; easy tannins. ($9)
(90) Perimeter Merlot 2010 (Washington State). Rich, with sumptuous flavors of ripe blackberry, dark cherry and sweet spice flavors; offers a full bodied mid-palate picking up notes of chocolate and ending with a vibrant long finish. ($13)
(90) Kinneybrook Sonoma Merlot 2009 (California). Made by the Kunde Family, which has a long history of making varietally correct wines; nice balanced acidity to pair with fresh ripe red fruit of cherries and berries; hints of herb flavors; good tannis and nice structure. ($17)
(90) Castle Rock Napa Valley Merlot 2008 (California). Another impressive release from Castle Rock, featuring layers of flavor and a harmonious finish. ($14).
(90) Girly Girl Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 (Washington State). Despite its feminine packaging, the wine offers a full-bodied merlot with dark berries and chocolate. ($17)
(89) Columbia Crest H3, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2009 (Washington State). A nose of black raspberry and licorice welcomes you to a taste of chocolate-covered cherry with a hint of plum-peel tartness; for a big, extracted wine, it retains a nice acidity; a bargain just in time for grilling out. ($15)
(89) Ca’Momi Merlot 2009 (California). Wines from this producer have always been those that are great for the price and display straightforward fruit; plenty of purple and black fruit with some light spice on the finish; enjoyable and easy to drink. ($13)
(89) Chateau Des Hauts De Fonteneau 2009 Bordeaux Superieur (France). Made from 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon; a classic Bordeaux bouquet, with ripe black fruit aromas, oak, cedar and earth undertones; fruit is forward on the palate and almost gushy on the entry, but in reigns in nicely by the mid-palate; ripe red cherry, strawberry and raspberry, with some richer currant in the aftertaste. ($13)
(89) Crosby Merlot 2010 (California). Not a well-known name, but excellent value/quality level; nice round, ripe cherry fruits with a hint of vanilla, ($9)
(88) Yalumba ‘Y’ Series Merlot 2009 (Australia). The Yalumba Y Series Merlot is an intense garnet red and displays aromas of sweet raspberries and currants; the palate is youthful and bright with juicy fruit, medium tannins and mid-length finish. ($13)
(88) Maison Nicolas Reserve Bordeaux Merlot 2010 (France). Intense nose of red and black fruits; smooth and well balanced with a lingering fruit finish; good everyday value. ($12)
(88) Nice Legs California Merlot 2009 (California). The bouquet is very mild but there are some nicely creamy cassis aromas; medium bodied and nicely round on the palate, with tasty red and black cherry flavors that gain intensity and depth across the palate; good balance and length; well done. ($10)
(88) Grayson Cellars Lot 6 Merlot 2010 (California). Silky smooth and in the fruit forward camp, juicy black cherry and raspberry beg for another sip; a top merlot in the $10 range. ($10)
(88) Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2008 (Washington State). This Merlot has a rich and supple mouthfeel with flavors of blackberry and a mild hint of cherry; the structure is abundant yet allowing all the luscious fruit to be the showstopper. ($12)
(88) Field Stone Alexander Valley Merlot 2007 (California). A deep, complex merlot with pronounced oak notes; sustainably grown in the Alexander Valley. ($16)
(87) Mutt Lynch Merlot Over and Play Dead 2007 (California). Smoke and cherry aromas lead to black currant flavors; soft tannins in this medium-bodied merlot; pair with grilled lamb or a chocolate treat. ($11)
(87) Red Diamond Merlot 2009 (Washington State). A good wine to share with a large gathering without spending too much; layers of fruit and a touch of oak to give it some complexity. ($8)
(87) Santa Ema Merlot 2010 (Chile). Smooth, dry, medium-bodied , clean and flavorful; outstanding value. ($9)
(86) Spellbound Merlot 2009 (California). Pleasant blueberry nose; medium weight with flavors of cherry, mild spice and wood; nice introduction to red wine and the merlot grape. ($16)
(86) Crane Lake Merlot 2010 (California). Great beginner merlot; light and easy drinking; a good party pour. ($5)
(86) Leese Fitch Merlot 2010 (California). Raspberry nose; raspberry and plum flavors; medium tannins and a medium finish; good buy for parties. ($11)
