Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent nearly fifty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. Fundamental to the winery's tradition was the early decision to focus on the production of Merlot. Dan Duckhorn felt that this elegant Bordeaux varietal was underappreciated in North America. "I liked the softness, the seductiveness, the colour, the fact that it went with a lot of different foods; It seemed to me to be a wonderful wine to just enjoy. I became enchanted with Merlot." Crafted from both mountain and valley floor vineyards, this alluring wine embodies the rich diversity of great Napa Valley Merlot. From its velvety tannins and lively acidity to luxurious layers of plum, candied black cherry, red liquorice and sweet baking spices, this gracefully structured Merlot glides to a lush, lingering finish. Matured for 15 months in 100% French oak barrels, of which 40% were new.

50% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot - aged 10 months in 2-4 year old barriques.

A Gold, 92pt beauty. Château La Clarière is blessed with 50 different vineyard plots, all ideally situated on the superb limestone plateau from where both Saint-Emilion and Castillon’s finest wines hail. However, the grapes from the Enclos single vineyard, literally five metres from Saint-Emilion’s priciest Grands Crus Classés, have always been kept separate. It’s a vineyard surrounded by hedgerows, shrubs and dotted with trees – its most biodiverse; farmed organically too. All Merlot, carefully fermented on the estate, with regular plunge down and a year’s ageing in part new and part seasoned French oak barrels, it’s a very fine, velvety claret. Open early and preferably decant. It will make a very handsome partner to roast red meats or a cheeseboard.

Podere La Brancaia is one of Tuscanys leading wine estates, each year winning national and international awards. The winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone at Poppi, in Radda in Chianti, and draws on its own fruit from Poppi and La Brancaia in Castellina. A selection of their best Sangiovese, with 20% Merlot, matured in barriques (half new) for 16 months, followed by 6 months in the bottle. Loaded with ripe fruits of dark cherry and plum, the Merlot gives the wine mid-palate depth and richness to make this a great wine for drinking now or cellaring over the short term.

67% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. A fresh, dynamic and expressive wine with blackberry and cherry on the nose.

91% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. A velvety nose of black fruit and wood; morello cherry, cocoa and ripe blackcurrent.

Dame de Boüard is the second wine of Château Clos de Boüard. Another expression of the Clos de Bouard terroir. This wine has aromas of ripe fruit, roasted aromatic herbs and hints of sweet spices. Its velvety tannins, fruity character and lovely volume on the palate give it a hedonistic character that is immediately accessible