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Merlot

Among the most prolific of wine grapes, Merlot is grown in many regions, including Southwestern France (mostly Bordeaux), Northern California (Napa and Sonoma), Chile and Australia. It’s unique in that it’s equally used in red wine blends as well as single varietal wines where Merlot is the only grape.

Characteristics on the palate include plum and vegetal notes, with red fruit accents often resembling raspberries. Merlot is considered a varietal in Bordeaux, blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.

Merlot is the third most widely planted grape worldwide, with an estimated 640,000 acres planted. Comparatively, Cabernet Sauvignon vines clock in at around 650,000 acres around the globe. University of California-Davis researchers discovered in the late 1990s that Merlot is an offspring or sibling of several other red wine grapes, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Malbec.


Quick Facts

  • In the 2014 Premiere Napa Valley Auction, which raised a record-breaking $6 million, two of the entries were Merlot (the majority were Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • Merlot is named for a black bird common to Médoc, France, in the early 1800s called "Merlau"
  • Château Petrus is among the famed wineries in Bordeaux, France that grows Merlot and makes award-winning wines that are highly sought after at auction

Recommended Items at Auction

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SEVEN CASES OF MERLOT-CABERNET RED BLEND WINE
Mar 27, 6:00 PM PDT
SEVEN CASES OF MERLOT-CABERNET RED BLEND WINE
by O'Gallerie
Est: $300- $400
$2755 Bids
Tenuta Masseto, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT - 1 bottle (bt), vintage 2006.Level: Within neck (WN),
Mar 28, 4:00 PM CEST
Tenuta Masseto, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT - 1 bottle (bt), vintage 2006.Level: Within neck (WN),
by Bertolami Fine Art
Est: €1,200- €1,800
€4001 Bid
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto 2003
Mar 30, 10:00 AM CEST
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto 2003
by Finarte
Est: €1,300- €1,950
€6501 Bid
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DAUTEL 4 bottles MERLOT -S- 2009
Mar 24, 11:00 AM CET
DAUTEL 4 bottles MERLOT -S- 2009
by Auktionshaus Eppli
Est: €15- €400
€150 Bids
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Thelema; Merlot, 2001; 3 (1 x 3) 750ml
Mar 26, 11:00 AM SAST
Thelema; Merlot, 2001; 3 (1 x 3) 750ml
by Strauss & Co
Est: R3,000- R4,500
R2,5000 Bids
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT- 1 bottles (bt), vintage 2002.Level: Bottom
Mar 28, 4:00 PM CEST
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT- 1 bottles (bt), vintage 2002.Level: Bottom
by Bertolami Fine Art
Est: €900- €1,100
€4000 Bids
Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT - 1 bottle (bt), vintage 2017.Level: Within
Mar 28, 4:00 PM CEST
Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia, Masseto Tuscany, Masseto IGT - 1 bottle (bt), vintage 2017.Level: Within
by Bertolami Fine Art
Est: €800- €1,000
€4000 Bids
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto (2 BT) 2013
Mar 30, 10:00 AM CEST
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto (2 BT) 2013
by Finarte
Est: €2,600- €3,900
€1,3000 Bids
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto 2013
Mar 30, 10:00 AM CEST
Toscana - Super Tuscan / Masseto 2013
by Finarte
Est: €1,300- €1,950
€6500 Bids
EIGHT BOTTLES OF VINTAGE MARILYN MERLOT WINE
Mar 27, 6:00 PM PDT
EIGHT BOTTLES OF VINTAGE MARILYN MERLOT WINE
by O'Gallerie
Est: $250- $350
$1300 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Merlot


Finarte

Finarte

Bertolami Fine Art

Bertolami Fine Art

O'Gallerie

O'Gallerie

Auktionshaus Eppli

Auktionshaus Eppli