Alphabetical Guide to California Merlot

Merlot grapes grow mature on the vine at Whitehall Lane Estate in Napa Valley, California. — Napa's Whitehall Lane produced one of this issue’s top-scoring Merlots from the region, with winemaker Jason Moulton crediting 2021’s success to a heat spike at harvesttime after a cool, dry summer. (Courtesy of Whitehall Lane)

From the Nov 30, 2024, issue

More than 50 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Tim Fish for the California Merlot tasting report in the November 30, 2024, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, top producers and recommended wines, read “Merlot Meets the Moment.” WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

Wine	Score	Price
ANCIENT PEAKS
Merlot Santa Margarita Ranch 2020	86	$22
APERTURE
Nomad Napa Valley 2019	93	$150
BALDACCI FAMILY
Red Blend Napa Valley 2021	84	$75
BARNETT
Merlot Spring Mountain District 2021	94	$80
BERINGER
Merlot Howell Mountain Bancroft Ranch Vineyard Single Vineyard 2021	93	$90
BLUE ROCK
Merlot Alexander Valley Best Barrels 2019	93	$75
CAKEBREAD
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	90	$75
CALADAN
Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2021	93	$250
CALLUNA
CVC Calluna Vineyards Cuvée Chalk Hill 2019	91	$38
CAPTÛRE
Merlot Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Estate Vineyard 2021	86	$65
CASTELLO DI AMOROSA
Merlot Napa Valley 2018	89	$46
CATHIARD FAMILY ESTATE
Hora Napa Valley 2021	93	$125
CHIMNEY ROCK
Elevage Stags Leap District 2021	93	$120
DECOY
Merlot Alexander Valley Limited 2022	89	$30

Merlot California 2022	86	$25

Merlot California 2021	86	$25
DUCKHORN
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	91	$60

Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2021	92	$140
FERRARI-CARANO
Merlot Sonoma County 2021	89	$37
GOLDSCHMIDT
Merlot Alexander Valley Chelsea Goldschmidt Guidestone Rise 2022	92	$25
CHARLES KRUG
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	91	$30
KUNDE FAMILY
Merlot Sonoma Valley 2021	86	$22
LA JOTA
Merlot Howell Mountain 2021	93	$100
LOUIS M. MARTINI
Merlot Napa Valley No. 254 2021	91	$85
MATANZAS CREEK
Merlot Alexander Valley 2021	88	$45
MAYACAMAS
Merlot Mount Veeder 2021	94	$75
SEAN MINOR
Nicole Marie Signature Series North Coast 2022	87	$28
MT. BRAVE
Merlot Mount Veeder 2021	94	$115

Merlot Mount Veeder 2019	93	$95
NEYERS
Left Bank Red Napa Valley 2021	90	$55
PAHLMEYER
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	91	$130
PEDRONCELLI
Friends Red Sonoma County 2022	89	$16

Sonoma Classico Dry Creek Valley 2022	88	$24

Sonoma Classico Dry Creek Valley 2021	91	$24
THE PRISONER WINE COMPANY
Merlot Napa Valley Thorn 2021	90	$75
RAMEY
Template Napa Valley 2019	91	$100
RUTHERFORD HILL
Merlot Carneros 2021	91	$75

Merlot Napa Valley 2021	93	$38

Merlot Oak Knoll District 2021	91	$75

Merlot Stags Leap District 2021	94	$75
SILVERADO VINEYARDS
Merlot Coombsville Mt George Vineyard 2021	88	$50
ST. FRANCIS
Merlot Sonoma County 2021	88	$22

Merlot Sonoma Valley Behler Vineyard Artisan Collection 2020	92	$50

Merlot Sonoma Valley Reserve 2021	93	$45
ST. SUPÉRY
Merlot Rutherford 2021	89	$75
RODNEY STRONG
Merlot Sonoma County 2022	89	$23

Merlot Sonoma County 2021	88	$25
TAMBER BEY
Merlot Yountville 2021	86	$95
TEXTBOOK
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	90	$27
TREFETHEN
The Cowgirl And The Pilot Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley 2021	87	$95
WHITEHALL LANE
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	92	$42