Merlot

I found this review somewhat helpful because... while I am sure Merlot is all of those things, giving a verdict on a grape that is so widely-used in wines from so many regions and so many countries (with so many varying characteristics), the verdict can be viewed as a little unspecific at best, and dangerously vague at worst. I've spat out Merlots before because they were too young, too coarse, too mass-produced (a couple of nasty Italian reds and some awful new-world examples). Yet there are many, many great examples (from those countries and elsewhere). You simply have to try... pick a region you think you like, and pick and choose a few producers and try your luck from there. To assume a grape or country or any one thing is the answer, is a mistake. Merlot is a perfectly good grape, but it will need a good producer in a good region with good weather to make the best of it.