When we moved to Arizona in 2000, most of our friends were dedicated Merlot fans. Unfortunately, we found the wine to be flabby, simple and uninteresting, often due to the overcropping by many California wineries.
All that changed on our first visit to Napa Valley when we came across a small producer in Calistoga that made a low volume and interesting Merlot. Awesome red currant and cherry aromas and flavours, not jammy with a hint of cedar on the nose and well-balanced acidity with a smooth tannic backbone.
For an excellent perspective on the trials and tribulations of Merlot in California, check out – The curse is over: Wine Drinkers are opting for velvety merlot,
For more background information on this much-maligned grape – Forget Sideways, Merlot is bigger than ever!
BC Merlot Trends
Top 12 Best Value BC Merlot
Township 7 Provenance Series Merlot 2020 ($29.97)
This vintage was crafted with Merlot from the Blue Terrace estate North Bench Oliver vineyard and Front Yard vineyard in Naramata. Aged in American and French barrels for 18 months added caramel and vanilla elements, mellowing the mouthfeel.
Alcohol 14% | pH 3.58 | TA 6.5 g/l | RS 2.5 g/l | Vegan
A rich Merlot with aromas of blackberry, cedar and vanilla. Flavours of black cherry, plum, toasted oak, dark chocolate, caramel and vanilla with earthy notes and firm tannins. The wine has complexity and a long finish. Built with the structure for ageing. 90 Points
Try with a roasted pork loin and plum sauce or grilled mushroom burgers.
Church and State Merlot 2019
Fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks for 20 days. Aged in French oak for 12 months with 15% new oak.
Alcohol 15% |TA 5.3 g/L | RS 2.7 g/L
A bold dark ruby red in colour. The wine opens with an explosion of black fruit aromas. Flavours of ripe black cherries, blackberry jam, cloves, espresso, leather and savoury notes. Full-bodied with ripe soft tannins. 90 Points.
Pairs well with hamburgers, slow-braised short ribs and Beetroot and Fennel Gratin.
Deep Roots Merlot 2019 $25.90
The Merlot is grown exclusively at the Deep Root’s Hardman Vineyard sloping southwest toward the lake capturing reflected sunlight from the lake and long evening sun in the summer and early fall. Cropped at just under 3 tonnes per acre – this lighter crop allows the grapes to ripen more quickly resulting in increased flavour intensity.
A big red with a complex nose of mixed berry, pastry crust, black cherry, blueberry, baking spices and savoury dried herbs, showing classic old-world Bordeaux character. The palate is dry, with ripe smooth tannins and intense flavours of black plum, black cherry, plum, cocoa powder, toasty wood and hints of leather and mint. Enjoyable and intriguing to smell, with layers of complexity and depth! 92 Points
Double Gold medal winner at the All Canadian Wine Championship.
Hillside Merlot 2018 ($24)
This elegant and refined Merlot is filled with aromas of cassis and coffee which are mirrored in the palate, alongside flavours of ripe cherry, damson plum with hints of dark chocolate. The tannins are soft and silky, fashioning a lingering finish. 90 Points
The 2015 vintage was a silver medal winner at the National Wine Awards of Canada.
For more excellent Hillside wines go to Hillside -The home of Muscat Ottonel
Dirty Laundry Merlot 2018 ($25)
This is a classic example of a BC Merlot aged in French and American oak for 18 months (30% new oak). 13% Alcohol. A gorgeous deep and brilliant garnet red in colour. Aromas of red cherry, ripe raspberry, and tobacco. On the palate, black cherries. chocolate, espresso and earthy leather with a full body and dry, fruit-forward finish. The tannins are as smooth as the long velvet gloves worn by the girls upstairs in the old dirty laundry! 90 Points
The 2016 vintage was A gold medal winner at the Northwest Wine Summit.
Four Shadows Merlot 2020 ($26.99)
15.1% Alcohol / pH 3.49 / TA 6.23 / RS 3.66 267 cases were produced.
Aromas of black fruit. A bold full-bodied Merlot with flavours of black currants, blackberries, plum and dark chocolate with beautifully integrated oak leading to a hint of vanilla. Smooth ripe tannins with a lengthy finish. Enjoy with your favourite BBQ beef. 92 Points
Silver Medal winner at the 2023 British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards.
Castoro de Oro Merlot
A big bold wine, full-bodied with a dense garnet red colour. Aromas of blueberry, black cherry and cocoa. On the palate, raisin, blackberries, stewed plum, dark chocolate and leather with a hint of nutmeg. Silky smooth tannins and a long finish. Ready to drink right now. 91 Points
Golden Mile Merlot in a can with Pizza, BBQ steak or Burgers. It doesn’t get any better!
The Merlot was named one of the Judge’s Selection Top Seven Merlot at the 2021 Alberta Beverage Awards!
You can order this excellent value BC Merlot by visiting the Castoro de Oro Estate Winery website.
Scorched Earth Winery PASK Merlot 2016 ($24.95)
Premium Merlot grapes were sourced from the Black Sage Bench in Oliver. Hand-selected, hand-picked, hand-sorted and hand-destemmed. Aged only in French oak barrels – 50% new. Only 100 cases were made.
This is a full-bodied Merlot. Aromas of blackberries, plums, and dark spices. The palate is full and rich with a firm, ripe, dusty tannins and sage, black licorice and roasted red capsicum alongside the cocoa powder and espresso. 91 Points
Gold Medal winner at 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships
Nagging Doubt Merlot 2015 ($22)
Like the 2014 vintage, the old vines have produced a beautifully concentrated wine that will age for 19 months on 30% new French oak and 70% neutral. The 2015 Merlot is a “huge” wine. Plum, blackberry, cherry and mocha with plentiful notes of leather and smokey bacon on the nose and palate, backed with nice acidity and some serious tannic structure to round out the wine. A wonderful
Nostalgia Merlot 2018 ($33)
95% Merlot (3% Harfman Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Gablemann Malbec)
Aged 14 months in oak barriques (French and American)
Alcohol 13.7% | pH 3.51 | TA 6.2 | RS 0.4
The Merlot is young and dynamic so decant before tasting or cellar. Aromas of black fruit and coffee. Flavours of black cherry, juicy black plum, blackberry, dark chocolate with a hint of espresso and cedar and a lovely long finish. The texture is velvety with supple tannins lifted by vibrant acidity. 91 Points
Hester Creek Old Vine Merlot 2020 ($27.99)
Crafted with grapes from Block 2 of the Golden Mile Bench estate vineyard, the Old Vine Merlot is made from vines a half-century old.
14.6% Alcohol, pH 3.86 TA 6.3 g/L, RS 0.27 g/L.
A bold fruit-forward Merlot with a mouthfeel of amazing depth. The wine opens with lively aromas of red plum and black fruit. On the palate, ripe black cherry, black currant, and more plum with a hint of tobacco and toasty oak. The structure is multi-dimensional with smooth tannins and a lengthy finish. 92 points
Fantastic fruit and structure. Pair the Merlot with BBQ pork tenderloin topped with grilled Okanagan cherries.