A bargain-priced California merlot that offers plenty of charm and velvety goodness

The merlot grape makes delicious red wines but has long been overshadowed by its aristocratic sibling cabernet sauvignon.

In its native Bordeaux region of France, merlot is planted mainly in vineyard sites where cabernet sauvignon will not perform well. Since merlot flowers and fruits weeks earlier, planting it alongside late-ripening varieties like cabernet sauvignon and blending the two together reduced the risk of losing an entire harvest to one bad storm — together these grapes form the bulk of any classic Bordeaux blend.

Incidentally, merlot and cabernet sauvignon can taste very similar when grown in their native region, sharing a distinct family resemblance in their scents of black woodland berries with a leafy, woodsy undercurrent. Cabernet sauvignon’s power and intensity are impressive and age-worthy, but not always versatile, giving the softer, fruitier merlot an edge in terms of instant gratification.

Merlot’s international stardom was launched when it earned name recognition as a varietal-labeled wine outside of Europe thanks to its richer, fruitier flavor profile when grown in warmer, sunnier, and drier places like California and Chile. There, merlot sheds its leafy twang and produces luxuriously ripe wines — like this bargain, which offers oodles of instant charm. Fairly oozing with velvety fruit flavors like red cherry, black plum, and blackberry jam, this affordable offering may not be structured enough for cellaring, but it sure makes a satisfying tipple after a long day at work.

$11.99, 13.5% alcohol

PLCB Item #6671

Sale price through 11/28 — regularly $14.99

Also available at:

Wine Warehouse in Clementon, Voorhees, and Mantua; $9.33, winewarehousenj.com

Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville and Hammonton; $9.49, jcanals.com