Alphabetical Guide to California Merlot

Michael Scholz, winemaker for St. Supéry, in the barrel room with his dog Gus — Caladan in Napa Valley produced one of 2022’s top-scoring bottles of California Merlot. (Courtesy of Jackson Family Wines)

From the Nov 30, 2025, issue

Nearly 50 wines were reviewed by Wine Spectator senior editor Tim Fish for the California Merlot tasting report in the Nov. 30, 2025, issue. For a full analysis of the latest vintages, top producers and recommended wines, read “Threading the Needle.” WineSpectator.com members can find full reviews, with tasting notes, in the Wine Ratings search.

Wine	Score	Price
ARIETTA
Quartet Napa Valley 2023	92	$90
BALLENTINE
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	89	$50
BARNETT
Merlot Spring Mountain District 2022	94	$80
CALADAN
Napa Valley 2022	94	$275
CASTLE ROCK
Merlot California 2022	87	$12
TY CATON
Upper Bench Block Three Canton Vineyard Moon Mountain District 2022	88	$48
CHATEAU SOUVERAIN
Merlot California 2022	87	$12
CHIMNEY ROCK
Elevage Stags Leap District 2022	93	$120
DARIOUSH
Merlot Napa Valley Signature 2022	93	$80
DEARDEN
One Iron Meritage Napa Valley 2022	92	$58
DUCKHORN
Merlot Atlas Peak 2022	93	$82

Merlot Napa Valley 2022	92	$60

Merlot Napa Valley Carneros 2022	93	$82

Merlot Napa Valley Rector Creek Vineyard 2022	93	$115

Merlot Napa Valley Stout Vineyard 2021	89	$110

Merlot Napa Valley Three Palms Vineyard 2022	94	$140
FREI BROTHERS
Merlot Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Reserve 2023	87	$20

Merlot Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Reserve 2022	89	$20
HYDE
Merlot Napa Valley Carneros Larry Hyde 2020	92	$95
LA JOTA
Merlot Howell Mountain 2022	94	$125
LARKMEAD
Firebelle Napa Valley 2022	92	$100
MARKHAM
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	89	$32
MATANZAS CREEK
Encantadora Alexander Valley 2021	90	$75

Merlot Alexander Valley 2022	88	$50
MAYACAMAS
Merlot Mount Veeder 2022	93	$75
MCMANIS
Merlot Lodi 2023	87	$12
MINER
Merlot Napa Valley 2021	83	$55
MT. BRAVE
Merlot Mount Veeder 2022	93	$130
OBERON
Merlot Napa Valley 2023	91	$29
PAHLMEYER
Jayson Napa Valley 2022	91	$90

Merlot Napa Valley 2022	94	$140
PALOMA
Merlot Spring Mountain District 2021	94	$72
PEDRONCELLI
Merlot Dry Creek Valley East Side Vineyard 2022	84	$29

Sonoma Classico Dry Creek Valley 2023	90	$24
QUATTRO THEORY
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	89	$40
RAMEY
Template Napa Valley 2020	88	$100
RUTHERFORD HILL
Merlot Carneros 2022	94	$75

Merlot Napa Valley 2022	93	$40

Merlot Stags Leap District 2022	93	$75
SILVERADO VINEYARDS
Merlot Coombsville Mt George Vineyard 2022	92	$50
SMITH & HOOK
Proprietary Red Wine Blend Central Coast 2022	84	$22
ST. FRANCIS
Merlot Sonoma County 2022	90	$22

Merlot Sonoma Valley Behler Vineyard Artisan Collection 2022	92	$54

Merlot Sonoma Valley Reserve 2022	91	$40
ST. SUPÉRY
Merlot Rutherford 2022	94	$75
TEXTBOOK
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	89	$29
TRIG POINT
Merlot Alexander Valley Diamond Dust 2022	90	$25
WHITEHALL LANE
Merlot Napa Valley 2022	92	$40