Oakridge Over the Shoulder Cabernet Merlot is bold fruit driven and mouth filling, this wine combines old world style with contemporary wine making techniques.

Leconfield Merlot has big and juicy dark fruits, soft tannins all supported by lovely French oak. Paul Gordon continues to produce a serious Merlot for a great price, year in, year out. His Merlot is also one that will benefit from a little sit in the medium term cellar.

The balancing act of Chateau Montrose sees 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and for the first time an inclusion from the recently purchased vineyard parcel of Phelan Segur. Chateau Montrose is considered a top producer from St-Estephe, known for potential in cellaring and considered unique for its style, which is set to 'vin de garde' wines. The estate property is set on gravel-based soils and sits in what is conisdered a microclimate, also conspiring in the unique perfumes, composition and forimdable structure of these wines. 2010 has been spectacular for Montrose power and presence, and will be a worthy wine to drink in a decade to 75 years.

Yellow Tail Merlot is soft and supple, with sweet, plum and cherry flavours and a hint of liquorice or anise. Merlot is an excellent alternative to the heavier and more tannic red varieties.

Château Gloria is the lifes work of Henri Martin, who's Cabernet based wines are very individualistic. The Château has never joined the Syndicat des Crus Bourgeois. This allows Henri to be a little more creative and produce wines of great concentration for prices that are easily approachable. The 2008 is a great example of the Château Gloria style and has been rated 90 points by Robert Parker Jnr.

Printhie is a stand-out producer from the emerging region of Orange and this Merlot has a complex bouquet of red fruits, violets and spice. The palate has fine acidity and gentle tannin providing attractive structure and length.

Deep purple in colour, this Merlot has an attractive nose of ripe red berries and cassis. The palate is soft and generous with plenty of sweet, juicy flavours. Great drinking and a great price!

The 2008 release of this took out the prestigious tri-nations award. The 2009 from a stronger vintage looks even better. A classicist?s Merlot; plum and cassis supported by fine tannin.

Audrey Wilkinsons Merlot is a mellow, easy approaching style that is packed with ripe plum aromas and subtle oak. It is matured in French and American oak for 18 months, giving the wine soft tannins and a flavoursome finish.

The gravelly soils and sunny climate of Hawkes Bay are producing some of New Zealand's most exciting reds. This classy Merlot from Oyster Bay shows soft spicy varietal flavours such as, juicy plums and ripe dark fruits. Accompanied by well intergraded oak and subtle tannins, making this wine one of the easier matching to food.