Merlot

Merlot, one of the most important Right Bank Bordeaux varietals, stands up well on its own and has the ability to last for over a decade when made well. Popular regions for Merlot include Napa Valley, Sonoma and Monterey, wherein cooler AVAs produce bright fruit flavors and chocolate accents, while the Merlot of warmer AVAs will feature dark fruit, espresso and cedar accents.