1. 2009 Bodega Mariposa Cellars California Merlot

Soft and supple, this wine offers impressions of cassis, black olive, berries and oak.

This wine featured in American Cellars Wine Club

2. 2009 Braxton Hall California Merlot

This easy-drinking wine offers aromas and flavors of cassis, black olive and assorted berries.

This wine featured in American Cellars Wine Club

3. 2005 Cakebread Merlot

A constellation of bright fruit aromas keyed on fresh black cherry, blueberry and plum, with fragrant scents of rose petal, tea-leaf, tobacco and cocoa adding interest and complexity. On the compact, supple palate, vibrant cherry, blackberry and cassis flavors are enlivened by a zesty black-tea spiciness that segues into a long, cocoa-tinged finish.

4. 2008 Cloudcrest Winery California Merlot

This easy-drinking California wine offers notes of blackberry, plum, cassis, smoked meat and oak.

This wine featured in American Cellars Wine Club

5. 2008 Cross Creek Winery California Merlot

Smooth and easy-drinking, this wine offers notes of raspberry, black olive, plum and dried herbs.

This wine featured in American Cellars Wine Club

6. 2007 Hoopers Hall California Merlot

This soft, approachable and luscious wine offers impressions of blueberry, sandalwood, cassis and black olive.

This wine featured in American Cellars Wine Club

7. 2006 Leese Fitch Merlot

Wine Buyers Notes: Inexpensive California Merlot it typically dreadful, but this new bottling is a varietally correct, fruit-driven, lush red, and an exceptional value: it's loaded with plum and blackberry, with a dash of vanilla and cocoa.

8. Middle Sister Forever Cool Merlot

For the cool girl who loves aromas of ripe summers berries with a touch of vanilla. Nobody stays forever young, but you will always be forever cool!

9. 2007 Revelry Vintners Colombia Valley, Washington Merlot

This smooth, deep wine shows off notes of black and red cherry, blueberry, butterscotch, caramel and toasty oak.

10. 2006 Rombauer Merlot Carneros

Bright plum and pomegranate aromas ready the palate for this elegant and unique wine. Smooth, silky fruit with supple tannins and soft herbal notes finish with a smooth, lingering finish.

11. 2007 Shafer Merlot

Winemaker's notes: "Marked by its perfumy aromas of dark fruit that push out of the glass. The wine itself fills the mouth with opulent flavors of red and black berry fruit, licorice, spice, pepper, strawberry and plum."

12. 2008 Purple Cowboy Night Rider Merlot – Paso Robles

Dazzling aromas of crushed black cherries and plums with rose petal, cola and a hint of smoked caramel. Mouth-filling flavors of cherry pie and cassis with silky, cocoa powder tannins on the long finish. Smooth and full-bodied.