Can Bordeaux be a 100% Merlot?

Bordeaux wines are usually blends. Indeed, the weather can be rather unpredictable and above all changes is a lot from one year to another. This is called the vintage effect. Thus, relying on one grape variety to make the wine is often seen as a risky move.

Merlot is the fourth most widely planted grape variety. It is believed to be a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire, an unknown grape variety.

Can Bordeaux be a 100% Merlot wine?

First: what is Merlot?

Merlot is a grape variety and one of the most planted grape variety in the whole wide world. In France, it is mostly found in Bordeaux, on the Right Bank where it thrives on the clay soils of Pomerol and the clay-limestone soils of Saint-Emilion.

Why are these soils an asset for Merlot? They enable the vine to absorb large quantities of rainwater and reserve it for dry summers.

By the way, this is exactly what happened in 2020. J. Suckling even concluded that “2020 is a vintage for Merlot”. Indeed, at the beginning of the year, a lot of rain fell on Bordeaux, whereas the summer was very hot and very dry. Merlot was harvested before the heat wave and the late rainfalls of September.

The Merlot grape variety is a vigorous variety and early in the bud burst which makes it sensitive to spring frost. The yield must be controlled for the wine to be of quality.

The bunches are large and not too compact, which helps the wind to pass through and prevents rot.

The wines have a deep and intense dark red color with aromas of red and black berries. Round and fleshy in the mouth, they have supple and silky tannins.

Yes, a Bordeaux wine can be a 100% Merlot

Loïc Le Roy actually drew up the whole list.

A little word about this man : he is from Bordeaux and has been living in Montreal, Canada since 2016. After studying marketing and export techniques in Bordeaux, he worked for ten years as a sales manager for an international agro-food group. Since 1999, he has been teaching several business schools the management of commercial units, communication and wine marketing.

Although this list may not be exhaustive, it definitely answers the question and gives you a few examples of Château to buy from.

Petrus, the most famous (nearly) 100% Merlot wine

The winerie is located on the best part of the Pomerol plateau between the North-East of Libourne and the West of Saint-Emilion.

I talk about winerie, because there is no castle in Pétrus, so you can’t call it “Château Pétrus”. However, you may come across this term, because “Château” in Bordeaux is also defined as “a wine-producing company including all its vineyards, cellars and the winery”.

The vineyard extends over 11,4 hectares with a density of 6000 vines per hectare.

The soil is unique. It is a mixture of gravel and blue clay (also known as iron grime, seeing as it has a high percentage of iron).

Pétrus wines are nearly made only of Merlot. Indeed, they have 1-3% of Cabernet Franc in the blends (but I guess it can be ignored). The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in cement vats. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, half of which are new, for 12 to 16 months.

Although Pétrus can not be officially considered a Grand Cru, seeing as it figures in no classification, their wines are breathtaking and recognized such as. The best vintages are : 1929, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1961, 1964, 2005 and 2010 to this day.

The prices are often around 2000€ per bottle and can even go up to 5000€ for the best vintages.

If you want to know all about Pétrus wines, I suggest you read this post which has the ten things you need to know about Petrus wines

Some of my personal favorites 100% Merlot Bordeaux wines

This is not an exhaustive list of course but here are other 100% Merlot Bordeaux wines I came across :

• Peby Faugères (Grand Cru Classé of the Saint-Emilion classification) Its 2000 vintage was awarded a 100/100 by Robert Parker (famous wine-taster). Their wines are 100% Merlot.

• Château Couronneau (and its Natural cuvée : le Fougueux) : wines are also made only from Merlot. Its cuvée Fougueux was made in stainless steel tanks (no oak! which is rare for a Bordeaux).

The best way to discover other 100% Merlot wines in Bordeaux

Pomerol and Côtes de Blaye are usually where the percentage of Merlot in the blends is the highest, and where you will usually find the 100% Merlot.

On the Left Bank, Margaux and Graves have the highest percentage of Merlot, even though the blends tend to be Cabernet Sauvignon dominated.

There are two ways to discover and taste 100% Merlot wines :

• coming to France of course (and why not have a drink with me!). If this is indeed a plan, I recommend you check the four-day schedule I posted, this could help you organize the trip and I’ve selected the best wine tours for you

• if you live farther away, signing up to a wine club is the next best thing! Have French wine directly delivered to your doorstep. I’ve written reviews on the best I came across (LGV and Sommailier). Even for French people, I love signing up to these clubs because you always make discoveries and they do the choosing for you, meaning you get quality and originality without moving from your couch.

Conclusion : Can Bordeaux be a 100% Merlot?

All in all, yes a Bordeaux wine can be a 100% Merlot! If you’re looking for examples, you can always buy a Petrus or one of my recommendations. However, the best way to find the best deal and discover the best 100% Merlot for you is to come to France (or sign up to a wine club and let them bring the wine to you wherever you are in the world).

Let me know about your discoveries and especially if you come to France (and I’ll organize a tasting!)