Merlot from USA

Vinous, 95 points: 95+ Blankiet's 2014 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Dark, rich and inviting, the 2014 wraps around the palate with pure sensuality and class. Dark stone...

Vinous, 98 points: The 2016 Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard, Blankiet's Merlot-based wine, is magnificent today. Merlot can be very quirky in its youth, especially when just bottled, but the Rive Droite is incredibly expressive, which...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: A rock star of a Merlot, the 2018 Merlot Blueline Estate boasts a deep purple color as well as a sexy, up-front bouquet of blueberries, ripe cherries, spring flowers, candied violets, and cedary spice. With medium to...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Incorporating 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec, the 2018 Merlot sports a dense purple hue as well as a killer nose of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, tobacco, spice, and even a hint of menthol. Rich and medium...

Decanter, 96 points: Opened for 45 minutes before tasting. From the iconic Three Palms Vineyard, which delivers structured, elegant and long-lived Merlot. This vintage has 89%, plus 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% each of...

jebdunnuck.com, 96 points: The Merlot-dominated 2017 Merlot Rive Droite Paradise Hills Vineyard (there's 4% Cabernet Franc in the blend) is also straight-up brilliant, showing tons of ripe black cherry, chocolate, coffee bean, and truffly herb...

Decanter, 96 points: Opened for 45 minutes before tasting. From the iconic Three Palms Vineyard, which delivers structured, elegant and long-lived Merlot. This vintage has 89%, plus 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% each of...

Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: With 6% Cabernet Franc, both it and the Merlot aged in neutral French oak before spending additional time in foudre and barrel, this elegant wine is grippy in its youth, with undeniable structure and elegance. Chalky...

jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Aromas of spices, such as cloves, dark berries and some herbs. Full-bodied and layered with chewy tannins and a savory finish. Juicy and flavorful. Drink after 2024.

Vinous, 93 points: The 2018 Merlot is another very pretty wine in this part of the Pride range. Plump and juicy, with mid-weight structure, the 2018 is gorgeous right out of the gate. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice...

Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Reductive on the nose, this bold mountain red is brimming in plum, cranberry and currant, with underlying earthiness that complements in savory cedar and tobacco. High-toned acidity and lifted aromatics provide a balance...