Variety
RedMerlot
The softest of the great Bordeaux varieties – round, plummy, velvety. Dominates the right bank (Saint-Émilion, Pomerol) and ripens ever more reliably in the Pfalz.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Merlot
These 6 aromas typically define Merlot. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Plum
Black cherry
Chocolate
Truffle
Cedar
Violet
Merlot aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Merlot. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Wood and toast aromas emerge from aging in oak barriques or larger wooden barrels.
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Merlot is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Merlot
344 curated profiles in our atlas grow Merlot.
344 wineries
Château Lafite Rothschild
Pauillac · Pauillac
Cabernet Sauvignon ~70%, Merlot ~25%, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot ~5%
Château Latour
Pomerol · Pauillac
Cabernet Sauvignon ~76%, Merlot ~22%
Château Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac · Pauillac
Cabernet Sauvignon ~80%, Merlot ~16%, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot
Pétrus
Pomerol · Pomerol
Merlot ~100%
Château Ausone
Saint-Émilion · Saint-Émilion
Cabernet Franc ~55%, Merlot ~45%
Château Cheval Blanc
Saint-Émilion · Saint-Émilion
Cabernet Franc ~52%, Merlot ~43%
Château Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan · Pessac
Merlot ~44%, Cabernet Sauvignon ~46%, Cabernet Franc ~10% — plus weltberühmter Weißwein
Château Margaux
Margaux · Margaux
Cabernet Sauvignon ~75%, Merlot ~20%, Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc
Le Pin
Pomerol · Pomerol
Merlot ~100%