What is Merlot’s style and character?

Merlot can produce wines in a range of styles, from fruit-forward to full-bodied, sophisticated and age-worthy. This is because Merlot adapts to most soils and climates … and because of this, you’ll find different styles of wine depending on where the grapes are grown. Bordeaux Merlots tend to be rich and robust, while Chilean Merlots are much fruiter. Most are dry, with medium acidity, and deeply rich in colour (though lighter than its Cabernet Sauvignon sibling). So smooth and velvety, expect a range of flavours – everything from fresh plum, cherry and baked blackberry, to dark chocolate and heady spices like clove. When aged in oak, Merlot can develop vanilla and mocha notes … and those spice flavours will become ever deeper.

How to pick a good Merlot

Because of its versatility, there’s a Merlot style and price-point for everyone. The top regions for good Merlot include: Bordeaux Bordeaux remains the home of the most iconic and classic Merlots. The regions of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol produce benchmark Merlot-rich wines and blends that are perfect for long-term ageing as they develop more depth and complexity over time. Bordeaux Merlots are typically complex with notes of ripe plum and black cherry and subtle undertones of cedar and truffle. When aged, Bordeaux Merlots can develop spice, leather and tobacco flavours. Chile Chilean Merlots are known for their ripe, expressive flavours of plum and blackberry, which are often complemented by subtle notes of chocolate. Typically medium to full-bodied, Chilean Merlots are velvet-smooth with soft tannins and balanced acidity. Chilean Merlot often punches way above its price point, offering great value for money. Australia Big, bold and fruity… Aussie Merlot in a nutshell. Expect lush, rich flavours of plum, black cherry and hints of vanilla if a wine has been oak aged. Australian Merlots are typically full-bodied with rounded tannins that make them the perfect crowd-pleasing tipple. California If you’re looking for a ripe, fruit-driven Merlot, then look across the pond, to sun-kissed California. The range of terroirs means California produces a range of style, from bold and oaky, to elegant and refined. The warmer climate means Californian Merlots can have a sweeter profile – expect cherries, blackberries and notes of mocha spice and cedar.

When can I expect my wine delivery?

The day of your delivery will depend on which option you’ve chosen at checkout. For a s tandard delivery , we will deliver your order in 2-3 days. Delivery to the Scottish Highlands, some other areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and offshore islands can take an extra few days. Usual delivery times are between 07.00 and 21.00. You can select Next-day or Named-day delivery at checkout – but do bear in mind we don’t deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays. For the best experience we recommend you subscribe to our Unlimited service . A one-off payment of £29.99 entitles you to free delivery for a year – including free Next-day delivery. There’s no minimum order – you’ll get free delivery even on a single bottle. And you can get delivery to multiple addresses, so it’s perfect for gifting!

Do you have a money-back guarantee?

We want you to be entirely happy with your chosen wine, so we offer an unbeatable money-back guarantee on every single bottle – even wines you buy on sale. No quibbles. No questions. Just your 100% satisfaction. If you aren't happy for any reason, get in touch and we’ll arrange to collect your bottle within 48 hours.

Can I get a wine subscription?

100,000 customers already love our wine subscriptions, and enjoy lower prices on their favourites all year round. With a Laithwaites wine subscription , you can tell us what kind of wine you prefer, and how many bottles you’d like to receive on each delivery. You can then choose how often you’d like to receive your case – every four or eight weeks. And delivery is free too!