Merlot, one of the most popular wine varietals, is a versatile wine that can be paired with a number of food dishes including poultry, red meat, pork, pasta, pizza, toasted cheese, spaghetti, hamburgers, braised short ribs, and salads. They usually have a medium body and herbaceous aroma and taste. They also have a very luxurious mouthfeel due to the light natural acidity in the grape. All these together make this wine varietal a perfect choice as a gift on any occasion. So, here are the best Merlot wines to gift to your friends, colleagues, or family members.

1. Coyote Canyon Merlot 2016

2016 Merlot by Washington based Coyote Canyon Winery was named “Best wine in the show by varietal category” at the 2019 USA Wine Ratings. In addition to the award, the wine had also earned a gold medal for its high score among many competitive brands at the same San Francisco based wine competition. 

Tasting notes: The 2016 vintage is only the 2nd merlot of Coyote Canyon Winery. It is rich, smooth, and everything a great merlot should be. With rich dark ruby red color, this wine greets you with spicy notes of dried currant, oak, and herbal goodness. The flavors of rich red fruits and toasted cocoa mingle with oak. The finish is long and lingering.

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2. Ecco Domani Merlot 2017

Ecco Domani Merlot 2017 on our list of “Best Merlot Wines To Gift” won a silver medal at the 2019 USA Wine Ratings. This Italy based vintage is made from grapes from the Italian island of Sicily where the warm sun and cool night breezes give suitable conditions for growing merlot with bright fruit aromas and soft, mature tannins.

Tasting notes: Ecco Domani Merlot 2017 is a medium-bodied wine with ripe cherry aromas and plush blackberry flavors. The wine is well-structured, balanced, and soft on the palate. With a clean and full-flavored finish, this merlot accompanies a variety of foods, particularly tomato-based pasta dishes, poultry, and grilled meats. 

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3. 2016 Merlot, Sonoma County

One of the “Best Merlot Wines To Gift” on our list, 2016 Merlot by California-based St. Francis Winery won a silver medal at the 2019 USA Wine Ratings. The grapes for this vintage were from St. Francis Winery’s Certified Sustainable Estate Wild Oak vineyard located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Their careful selection contributes to the distinctive and amazing qualities of this finished wine.

Tasting notes: The 2016 Merlot features deep, rich color and structure. The nose has layers of aromas and the palate reflects flavors of cassis, plum, dried currant, and savory spices. The palate leads to a silky finish.

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4. Barefoot Cellars Merlot

Barefoot Cellars Merlot is one of the most awarded wines of Barefoot Wines based in California. At 2019 USA Wine Ratings, the wine grabbed a silver medal for its stunning quality and value for money. 

Tasting notes: Barefoot Cellars Merlot wine bursts in your mouth with all the rich flavors of juicy cherries, boysenberries, sweet plums, and smooth chocolate. This classic red wine with bold personality is smooth on the palate and features blueberry and light oak notes.

5. 2017 Central Coast Merlot

2017 Central Coast Merlot by Edna Valley based in California is last on our list but not the least. The wine won a bronze medal at the 2019 USA Wine Ratings. It is a jewel of Edna Valley Vineyard which is located between San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

Tasting notes: 2017 Central Coast Merlot has a juicy, velvety, and rich mouthfeel. The wine welcomes you with red cherry, blackberry, and subtle plum aromas with a hint of espresso. These notes lead to the palate along with supple tannins integrated with layers of smoked meat, cola, blueberry, earth, and hints o tobacco and nutmeg.