One of the most well known international red grape varieties, ever fluctuating in popularity, Merlot is not to be underestimated.
It’s characterised by red fruits such as ripe plums, gentle spices, soft tannins and rounded, plush texture, expressing notes of mocha or chocolate with oak influence. The best examples have great ageing potential.
Merlot can produce noteworthy varietal wines and is a great blending partner. It’s a key variety in Bordeaux blends, working well with varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but it’s soft, approachable character adds to blends with varieties far beyond the classics.
Finding its home in Bordeaux where it grows best on the Right Bank, Merlot has the capability of delivering wines with lovely expressions from around the world.
Scroll down to explore 15 awarded Merlots from DWWA 2025
Outside of France, it is famously grown in Italy, California and Chile where it can produce fruity, easy-drinking expressions, but when grown in higher altitudes or with attentive vine management, for example, more structured examples are to be found.
Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025 saw a number of top-scoring Merlot-based wines awarded, including two Best in Show (97 points) from Bordeaux – André Lurton, Château de Rochemorin, Pessac-Léognan 2022 and Chateau La Croix Younan, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022. For André Lurton, the judges commented ‘on the palate, it is soft, tended and ample, with Merlot turning on the charm’ whereas for the latter they highlighted the wine’s fresh scents and generous, soft-textured yet shapely and long palate. The region also secured a number of Platinum and Gold medals.
Beyond France, top quality expressions of Merlot were rated by the experts from Chile and the United States and less discovered wine regions such as Croatia, Mexico and Moldova.
To celebrate International Merlot Day, we highlight 15 awarded Merlot and Merlot-dominant wines that are worth exploring. Search all winners from DWWA 2025 at awards.decanter.com
International Merlot Day: 15 award-winning wines to try
Chile
Viña Undurraga, T.H.,Casablanca Valley 2023
Silver, 94 points
Engaging red fruit and forest fruit on the nose with nuances of cranberries, red cherries and sea weed. Wonderful tension. Alcohol 14%
Croatia
Hvar Hills Winery, Merlot, Srednja i Južna Dalmacija, Coastal 2022
Gold, 95 points
An ambient combination of pure bramble fruit and earthy oaked spice which encircles the nose and palate and enfolds in the rounded structure. Very long. Alc 15%
France
André Lurton, Château de Rochemorin, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
Pessac-Léognan is an appellation which comes into its own in the most generous vintages – like 2022. There’s often near parity between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot here (Merlot is on the front foot in this wine, its 65% complemented by 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 3 per cent Cabernet Franc), and the proximity of the forests to Pessac-Léognan mean that many of the best sites retain freshness even during heat-spike and drought conditions. This opaque black-red wine is packed with the tender-sweet black fruits and sweet floral seduction typical of the vintage; secondary complexities lie ahead. On the palate, it is soft, tender and ample, with Merlot turning on the charm. The Petit Verdot brings a little pepper and spice to the blend, and even the Cabernet in this wine is affable and unforbidding, just lending grandeur and resolve to the Merlot’s charm. As with our St Emilion Best in Show, this is not a Pessac-Léognan that will demand extensive cellar ageing; its soft textures, balance and charm make it an ideal choice for the first decade following the vintage. Alc 14%
Chateau La Croix Younan, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux 2022
Best in Show, 97 points
One of the biggest treats of the two days in which the Co-Chairs met to look at our best Platinum medals this year was the chance to sit down with an entire flight of 2022 reds from Bordeaux – a magnificent vintage of untramelled generosity with a long life ahead. This St Emilion wine, its 70% Merlot balanced by 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, has bright, fresh scents with ample black fruits to the fore; the palate is generous and soft-textured yet shapely and long, with softly cedary complexities shading the dark plum fruits. This will be a 2022 to enjoy relatively soon, though the constitution of the vintage will ensure it holds well as it modulates towards a gentle and open-pored old age. Alc 13.5%
Château Coudert, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux 2022
Platinum, 97 points
Irresistible aromas of ripe plum, blueberry and liquorice which weave into the intricate mineral core. Full of power, concentration and potential with muscular tannins, strident acidity and a compact savoury oak finish. Long and sustaining. Alc 15.5%
Château Tour de Yon, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux 2022
Platinum, 97 points
A marriage of New World-style hedonism: lavish sweet black cherry and blueberry fruit, to a classic Old World structure: polished savoury oak tightly knitted into the frame. Very accomplished with time on its side. Sensational. Alc 14%
Château Fonplegade, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux 2022
Gold, 96 points
Taut and youthful with toasted cedar, vanilla and cinnamon notes layered with dark berries and a glimmering minty finery. Structured and complete with a black olive finish. Alc 15%
Hungary
Illés Családi, Dél-Balaton, Balaton 2023
Silver, 94 points
Lovely ripe cherries, plums and vanilla nuances on the nose. Silky and persistent on the palate, with a nice structure. Alc 14%
Mexico
Vinos Santa Clara, Basalto, Chihuahua 2021
Silver, 94 points
Opulent aromas of truffle on the nose; palate of dried plum, blackberry, blueberry and a refreshing acidity. Alc 13.3%
Moldova
Purcari, 1827, Stefan Voda 2023
Gold, 95 points
Jubilant fresh red berries and spice aromas flow energetically through the generous structure, with ample tannins, fruity acidity and a gamey note towards the end. Alc 13.8%
Serbia
Vinarija Zvonko Bogdan, Subotica-Horgoš 2023
Gold, 95 points
An embroidery of ripe blackberry, cassis, tobacco and cedar oak knits deftly into the deeply concentrated palate weaving through the inky tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Alc 14%
Slovenia
De Baguer, Single Vineyard, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2019
Gold, 96 points
Beaming with ripe cherry fruit and fresh herbs with a gentle oaky spice element and appealing leathery texture. Firmly structured and bold with a generous length. Alc 14%
South Africa
Groot Constantia Estate, Constantia, Cape Town 2022
Gold, 95 points
Glistening with black plum, fresh herb and grilled red pepper aroma held in a throng of rewarding tannins with a blackcurrant acidity and long liquorice finish. Alc 14%
Switzerland
Vinattieri, Ticino 2019
Gold, 95 points
A spectrum of plump forest fruits interlaced with dried thyme, oregano and black tea. Poised and elegant with shrouding tannins and a dark chocolate-dipped cherry note to end. Alc 14.5%
United States
Long Shadows Vintners, Pedestal, Columbia Valley, Washington State 2020
Silver, 94 points
Inky and brooding, with a palate of black cherry, leather, tar, mocha and clean cut tannins. Alc 15.1%
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