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.
River Stone Merlot 2020 ($30.90)
The grapes for this single vineyard wine were grown in the estate River Rock Vineyard. The 2020 Merlot was fermented in stainless steel tanks (2200, 2850, and 5000 litres) and small fermentation totes to maximize skin-to-juice contact. The wine received 2-3 punchdowns daily. After fermentation, the wine was pressed into tanks to settle sediment before transferring to barrels, where malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine was aged in premium French oak barrels (33% new) for approximately 18 months.
13% Alcohol / pH 3.74 / TA 6.53 / RS 1.87
The bold Merlot has aromas of black fruit and black pepper. On the palate, black cherry, blackberry, cassis, leather and plum with a hint of French oak. It has a full body, balanced acidity and smooth tannins. 91 Points
Mayhem Anarchy Merlot 2022 ($45)
Alcohol 14.60% / pH 3.58 / TA 6.54 / RS 0.58
This is a bold but smooth Merlot. The colour is dark and inky. Vibrant aromas of black fruit with floral notes and sage. Flavours of black cherry, dark plum, cassis and dark chocolate with a hint of tobacco. A rich, full-bodied Merlot with well-balanced acidity, velvet smooth tannins and a lovely long finish. The wine will age well, so drink or store it in the cellar. 93 points.
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.
Vasanti Merlot 2021 ($34.49)
The grapes are grown at the estate Paradise block of Monarch Vineyards in Northern Oliver and harvested at 24 brix. The juice from the crushed grapes was fermented in Stainless Steel tanks with three daily pump-overs. The wine was aged for 19 months in 25% new American Oak barrels and 75% Neutral Oak barrels (a combination of French & American)
13.6% Alcohol. The colour is dark and inky. Vibrant aromas of black fruit with floral notes of violet and sage. Flavours of black cherry, dark plum, leather, cigar and black pepper. A medium to full-bodied Merlot with grippy tannins that add depth and complexity. The wine will age well and impress more with time. 92 points.
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.