Buying Guide · 5 min read

Long Island Merlot: Style Guide + 12 Bottles to Try

Often called the region's 'Goldilocks' grape, Long Island Merlot balances Old World elegance with New World fruit. Discover the top 12 bottles you need to try.

Long Island Merlot: Style Guide + 12 Bottles to Try

If you have spent any time exploring the wines of the East End, you know that one grape reigns supreme. While other regions struggle with the temperamental nature of red Bordeaux varieties, Long Island has found its soulmate in Merlot.

Often misunderstood by those who haven't tasted a cool-climate maritime bottle, Long Island Merlot is not the flabby, uninspired juice of the bulk-market past. Here, it is sophisticated, structural, and deeply reflective of the sandy soils and salty breezes of the North and South Forks.

Why Merlot Defined the Region

Long Island’s terroir is uniquely suited for Merlot. With a growing season buffered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Peconic Bay, the region avoids the early frosts that plague central New York and the suffocating heat that can overripen fruit in California.

In our journal, we often discuss the 'maritime effect.' This phenomenon allows Merlot to maintain high acidity while developing silky tannins. Most local snapshots of the varietal offer notes of red cherry, plum, and a distinct earthy minerality that fans of Right Bank Bordeaux will find familiar.

The Long Island Merlot & Cabernet Franc Connection

You cannot discuss the success of Merlot here without mentioning its frequent partner: Cabernet Franc. The Long Island Merlot & Cabernet Franc blend is essentially the region's unofficial signature style. Cabernet Franc adds a peppery, herbal high note to Merlot’s plush mid-palate, creating a balanced, ageworthy wine.

Purchase top-rated Long Island blends through Vivino to see this chemistry in action.

What to Look for in a Long Island Merlot

When shopping at local retailers or browsing online, you'll encounter two primary styles:

1. Steel-Aged / Fruit-Forward: These are intended for early consumption. Expect bright acidity and vibrant red fruit flavors. 2. Reserve / Oak-Aged: These bottles spend 12 to 24 months in French oak. They develop nuances of cocoa, tobacco, and leather. These are the bottles you want to tuck away in your cellar.

12 Bottles of Long Island Merlot to Try Now

1. Paumanok Vineyards Grand Vintage Merlot

Paumanok is widely considered the gold standard for quality on the North Fork. Their Grand Vintage only happens in exceptional years. It is dense, powerful, and incredibly nuanced.

2. Bedell Cellars Merlot

Bedell’s flagship Merlot is a masterclass in balance. It offers classic notes of black cherry and hints of saline minerality that scream 'maritime climate.'

3. Macari Vineyards 'Dos Aguas'

A beautiful blend that highlights the synergy of the Long Island Merlot & Cabernet Franc cluster. It is soft, approachable, and perfect for dinner parties.

4. Wölffer Estate 'The Grapes of Roth' Merlot

While the Hamptons are famous for Rosé, Roman Roth produces a Merlot that is legendary for its longevity and structure.

Find a wide selection of Wölffer Estate wines on Wine.com.

5. Lenz Winery Old Vines Merlot

Lenz boasts some of the oldest vines in the region. Their Old Vines bottling provides a concentration of flavor that younger vines simply cannot match.

6. Jamesport Vineyards Estate Merlot

This wine is known for its earthy, savory profile. Think dried herbs, cedar, and dark fruit.

7. Pellegrini Vineyards Merlot

A classic representation of the North Fork. It is elegant, medium-bodied, and incredibly food-friendly.

8. McCall Wines 'Ben’s Blend'

While technically a blend, Merlot leads the charge here. It is a refined, European-style red that pairs beautifully with local grass-fed beef.

9. Raphael 'First Label' Merlot

Raphael’s facility was designed specifically for gravity-flow winemaking, and you can taste the gentle handling in their supple, velvety Merlot.

10. Lieb Cellars Estate Merlot

Lieb produces a Merlot that is bright and lean, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer their reds less 'heavy.'

11. RG|NY Merlot

This winery focuses on sustainable practices and modern expressions. Their Merlot is vibrant, focused, and very expressive of the vintage.

12. Roanoke Vineyards Merlot

Known for their exclusive small-lot productions, Roanoke’s Merlot often shows a riper, bolder profile that appeals to fans of Napa reds, yet retains New York acidity.

Food Pairing Guide

Because of its balanced acidity and moderate tannins, Long Island Merlot is one of the most versatile food wines on the market.

• Roasted Poultry: The herbal notes in a Merlot-Cabernet Franc blend are a natural match for rosemary-rubbed chicken.
• Duck: A Long Island classic. The acidity cuts through the fat perfectly.
• Mushrooms: If your Merlot has some age, the earthy notes will sing alongside a mushroom risotto.

Book a table at a North Fork farm-to-table restaurant via OpenTable to experience these pairings firsthand.

How to Visit and Taste

The best way to understand the quality of these wines is to visit the source. Most wineries offer curated flights that allow you to compare different vintages or styles. You can also explore our varietal collections to see how Merlot stacks up against local Cabernet Sauvignon or Petit Verdot.

Book a guided North Fork wine tour with Viator for a seamless experience.

Conclusion

Whether you are a seasoned collector or a casual drinker, Long Island Merlot deserves a place in your glass. It is a wine that tells the story of the land, the sea, and the dedicated winemakers who have spent decades perfecting the craft.

Order your next favorite bottle winery-direct or browse the selection on Vivino today.