Q: When is Merlot never Called Merlot?

 A: When its Red Bordeaux

 Yes, most Red Bordeaux contains Merlot, but, except for those labels made for the US market, they never say Merlot, or any other varietal, on the label

And yes, Bordeaux wine prices have exploded - but that is only true for some 400 Classified and Petit Chateau wines. If you have money to spend ask us about our large selection of current and older vintages.

But for the rest of us, there are still maybe 7000 other Bordeaux producers, most of whose wines sell from $6⁹⁹ to $20 a bottle. These are what we focus on - they are affordable, they are very drinkable and they are anything but boring. That's largely because many of them contain Merlot, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Malbec or Petite Verdot along with Cabernet Savignon. And some do not contain any Cabernet Sauvignon. But that is not obvious from the label - nor should you care!

Just find your price point and choose your Rick's Pick.