Full Review

King Estate

King Estate
2018 Weinbau Vineyard, Merlot, Wahluke Slope

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
91 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$52
Cellar Selection

King Estate
2018 Weinbau Vineyard, Merlot, Wahluke Slope

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15%
Dark ruby color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate, black plum, black cherry, and black raspberry with a round, vibrant, dry medium-to-full body and a warming, long finish with accents of black cherry, plum, chocolate, and carnations with chewy, medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. This is about as big and bold as Merlot can be with a crescendo of red fruits, black plum, and chocolate.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: New World
Aroma Aroma: chocolate, black plum, black cherry, and black raspberry
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with accents of black cherry, plum, chocolate, and carnations
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: This is about as big and bold as Merlot can be with a crescendo of red fruits, black plum, and chocolate.

The Producer

King Estate Winery

The Producer
80854 Territorial Hwy
Eugene, OR 97405
USA
1 541-942-9874

Their Portfolio

92 Inscription 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
88 Inscription 2022 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
90 Inscription 2023 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 King Estate 2021 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
94 King Estate 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
92 King Estate 2018 Estate Grown Méthod Champenoise Brut Cuvée, Willamette Valley 12.5% (USA) $40.00.
88 King Estate 2022 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
92 King Estate 2018 Quintessence Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 14.5% (USA) $60.00.
89 King Estate 2018 Weinbau Vineyard, Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope 14.5% (USA) $54.00.
93 King Estate 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Oregon 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
92 King Estate 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
86 King Estate 2022 Artisan Series, Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
88 King Estate 2021 Estate Grown Domaine, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13% (USA) $28.00.
90 King Estate 2018 Bacchus Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14% (USA) $56.00.
88 King Estate 2017 Bacchus Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $56.00.
94 King Estate 2016 Bradshaw Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 14.1% (USA) $60.00.
92 King Estate 2016 Temperance Hill Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $70.00.
91 King Estate 2018 Weinbau Vineyard, Merlot, Wahluke Slope 15% (USA) $52.00.
88 King Estate 2018 Sonrisa Vineyard, Tempranillo, Columbia Valley 14% (USA) $50.00.
90 King Estate 2019 Quail Run Vineyards and Gold Vineyard White Blend, Rhone White Varietal Blend, Rogue Valley 14% (USA) $28.00.
88 King Estate 2018 Quail Run Vineyards White Blend, Rhone White Varietal Blend, Rogue Valley 14.5% (USA) $28.00.
88 King Estate 2019 Kennel Vineyard, Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 13% (USA) $50.00.
92 King Estate 2019 Four Nobles Cuvee Blanc, Willamette Valley 13% (USA) $30.00.
87 King Estate 2022 Artisan Series, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $29.00.
91 King Estate 2022 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $30.00.
89 King Estate 2021 Domaine, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.0% (USA) $70.00.
92 King Estate 2022 Domaine, Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $30.00.
88 King Estate 2019 Brut Cuvée, Willamette Valley 12.5% (USA) $40.00.
92 King Estate 2023 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $20.00.
93 King Estate 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Oregon 14.1% (USA) $20.00.
92 King Estate 2021 Kennel Vineyard, Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 14.1% (USA) $58.00.
89 King Estate 2022 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $25.00.
90 King Estate 2019 Brut Cuvée, Willamette Valley 12.5% (USA) $40.00.
88 Next 2018 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $13.00.
92 North By Northwest 2019 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
92 The Soldier 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $23.00.
88 The Soldier 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $23.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

Top Rated for
Merlot

Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
96 POINTS
Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.6% $310.00.
USA
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
15% $75.00.
USA
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
95 POINTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
14% $24.00.
USA
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
14.8% $44.00.
USA
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.3% $190.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.5% $55.00.
USA
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
94 POINTS
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
14.5% $42.00.
USA
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.7% $34.00.
USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
94 POINTS
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
13.8% $22.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Merlot

Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
14% $18.00.
Australia
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
93 POINTS
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
13.5% $14.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
14% $13.00.
Australia
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
93 POINTS
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
13.5% $16.00.
USA
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
14.5% $10.00.
USA
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
13% $9.00.
USA