In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 best Merlot wines under $50. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global wine market, the largest winery in the world, and the recent acquisition in the wine industry, and go directly to 5 Best Merlot Wines Under $50.
Hailing originally from the Bordeaux region in the south-west of France, Merlot is a dark blue, thin-skinned grape varietal, with a name that derives from the French word 'Merle', meaning blackbird – likely due to Merlot’s dark hue or because the bird enjoyed eating the thin-skinned grape. The Merlot grape is known for making some of the most expensive and flavorful wines in the world. Typically, Merlot is a dry, medium- to full-bodied wine with moderate acidity, moderate to high alcohol, and soft but present tannins. This low tannin count is a significant contributor to the wine’s silky, fruit-forward taste, making it one of theBest Red Wines for Beginners and Casual Drinking.
Wine is gaining huge popularity among millennials and youngsters, owing to its refreshing appeal and low ABV offerings. The rising demand for premium and luxury wines, increasing consumer awareness about the health benefits of wine, and growing popularity of wine tourism are some of the key factors driving the growth of the wine market.
Largest Winery in the World:
Established in 1933 by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in Modesto, CA, E & J Gallo is the largest winery in the world by volume. With an annual production of over 80 million cases, it is responsible for approximately 25% of all wine sales in the United States. The family-owned winery’s expansive portfolio includes popular brands such as Barefoot, Apothic, and Dark Horse, as well as more premium labels like Louis M. Martini and MacMurray Estate Vineyards.
The winery’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is also evident, with initiatives such as water conservation, renewable energy use, and precision viticulture shaping its operations. E & J Gallo Winery boasted a revenue of over $8.4 billion last year, putting it among the Largest Alcohol Companies in the World in 2023.
Recent Acquisition in the Wine Industry:
It was announced last week that The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA), a California-based luxury wine company, has reached an agreement with the Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) for the acquisition of Sonoma?Cutrer Vineyards, in a deal worth around $400 million. The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) will receive an ownership percentage of approximately 21.5% in The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE:NAPA) and $50 million in cash.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Sonoma?Cutrer brand trademarks, facilities, and six vineyards in two appellations will join Duckhorn’s fine wine brands. Upon closing the deal next year, the Jack Daniel’s maker will receive two seats on The Duckhorn Portfolio’s Board of Directors.
Sonoma-Cutrer, known for its Russian River Ranches Chardonnays, operates six vineyards in Sonoma County, California, and had net sales of $84 million in the year ending July 31.
With that said, here are the Most Extraordinary Merlots Under $50.
15 Best Merlot Wines Under $50
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to sources such as VinePair, WinePros, Liquor, various alcohol subreddits etc., looking for the Highest Quality Merlot Wines Under $50. We picked wines that appeared at least twice in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two wines had the same score, we ranked them by the price (excluding tax) of their 750 ml bottles.
Note: Prices have been sourced from multiple sources, including Wine-Searcher, Total Wine & More etc. As wine prices can vary greatly across the United States, we cannot guarantee their accuracy.
15. Meeker Handprint Merlot 2018
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Price: $48
The 2018 Winemaker's Handprint Merlot is a classic. Dark fruit like currants and cherries marry on the nose with hints of toffee and caramel. The wine explodes on your palate with more cherries, and hints of the best strawberry rhubarb pie you've ever had.
Established in 1984, The Meeker Vineyard is a family-owned winery in Sonoma County, California. In 2001, the Meeker tasting room was cited by The Wall Street Journal as one of the most enjoyable wine tasting experiences in all of Napa and Sonoma Counties.
14. Chateau Marsau 2018
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Price: $36
Marsau 2018 is the unique light on a summer’s day, when the sun sinks towards the horizon and pierces blindingly through the clouds. A light so drenched in color and contrast that it transforms the landscape. Chateau Marsau 2018 delivers everything you'd expect from a fine Right Bank Merlot, an excellent vintage by an estate described by Robert Parker as ‘the Pétrus of the C?tes des Francs’'. As the original home of the popular grape variety, France is known to be the country to produce the best Merlot.
Under the stewardship of owner and winemaker Anne-Laurence Chadronnier, the quality and reputation of Chateau Marsau has rocketed.
13. Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Merlot 2020
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Price: $22
Aged 17 months in French and American oak barrels, this 2020 Merlot opens with enticing red fruit aromas joined by hints of dried herbs and toasted oak. A round, supple texture delivers mouth filling flavors of raspberry, plum, black cherry, cocoa dust, and baking spice.
Ancient Peaks wines are crafted under the guidance of Mike Sinor, a local winemaking veteran and one of the highest-rated winemakers on California’s Central Coast.
12. Bonterra Organically Grown Merlot 2019
Insider Monkey Score: 2
Price: $13
Made with organic grapes, this lush and delicious blend of 79% Merlot, 13% Petite Sirah, 2% Zinfandel, and 6% other red grapes has a delightfully appealing nose of salted plum, chocolate, and beet. The 2019 vintage was characterized by a cooler growing season, punctuated by the occasional rain shower, which allowed the grapes to mature slowly and develop greater depth of flavor.
Crafted by winemaker Jeff Cichocki, together with Founding Winemaker Bob Blue, Bonterra wines are America’s most popular wines from organically farmed grapes.
The Bonterra 2019 is one of the Best Merlots Under $20.
11. Northstar Columbia Valley Merlot 2019
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $40
This 2019 vintage has rich concentrated aromas of black cherry, cedar, and mocha that lead into flavors of raspberry, chocolate, cherry, and vanilla. The wine is bold and bright and was created to enjoy now, or for many years to come, as it will age gracefully.
Founded in 1994 by Stimson Lane, Northstar Winery combines the art of old world wine-making with new world innovation to create Merlots considered among the world's best.
10. Stags’ Leap Merlot 2019
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $35
With freshness exhibiting its southern Napa origins, this 2019 Merlot leaps from the glass with layers of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark raspberry, alongside baking spice notes of cinnamon spice, vanilla, and crème br?lée.
It was announced earlier this year that the Italian group Marchesi Antinori, one of the oldest Italian family-owned fine wine producers, has completed its acquisition of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
The Stags’ Leap 2019 is counted among the Best Merlots Under $40.
9. Gundlach Bundschu Merlot 2018
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $31
After skipping a vintage for the first time in 40 years due to the 2017 fires, Gundlach Bundschu was beyond thrilled to release the 2018 Rhinefarm Estate Merlot. With small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this savory, well-made wine is robust in dried herb, tobacco, tar and earth, with notes of sage beckoning in the background.
From its solar panels to its water recycling system, and now also its formal organic certification, when you drink a glass of Gundlach Bundschu wine you are helping to support a healthier, happier, more sustainable world for everyone.
8. 14 Hands The Reserve Merlot 2019
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $31
This round, structured Merlot is packed with rich flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry, and mocha. Balanced in style, the wine is soft, approachable, and food friendly.
Owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, 14 Hands is one of the largest wine brands in Washington. Following a decline in demand, Ste Michelle Wine Estates revealed earlier that it would almost halve the amount of grapes it buys this year compared to the last one, to ‘ensure the health of its business’. The move has come as a blow to many Washington farmers who rely on its custom.
7. Mollydooker The Scooter Merlot 2018
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $30
This vibrant and lifted Merlot exudes rich plum flavors with undertones of both red and dark fruits with a soft touch of oak. As the wine develops in the glass, layers of chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom spices come to the fore.
Sarah Marquis, half of one of Australia's best-known wine partnerships, acquired a controlling share of the prominent Australian winery Mollydooker from her ex-husband in 2017.
6. Seven Hills Walla Walla Merlot 2021
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $29
This one is among the Best Affordable Merlots on the shelf. Drawn from fruit selections that capture the unique character and expressive beauty of the appellation, this classic wine presents an elegance and complexity.
Founded by Casey and Vicky McClellan in 1988, the Seven Hills Winery was eventually sold off to the California-based Crimson Wine Group in 2016. The McClellan family is a pioneer in Washington's Walla Walla region and knows how to find balance at a budget-friendly price.
The Seven Hills 2021 ranks among the Best Merlots Under $30.
