Merlot is the other major black grape produced in Bordeaux. It is usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot on its own makes a wine with soft tannins. This is the reason why Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot complement each other well. There are two major styles of Merlot when it's not blended. The first is mostly a New World style, sometimes called the International Style. In the International style, the grapes are harvested as late as possible and tends towards blackberry and plum flavors and soft tannins with fuller body and high alcohol. Often these wines are aged in oak to add toasty flavors. This style of wine will be found throughout the new world as well as in Bordeaux.

The second style of Merlot is to harvest the grapes earlier, which results in a wine with lower levels of alcohol and lighter body. These wines tend more towards red fruit flavors like raspberries and strawberries, and have much more acidity. This style of Merlot is rarely found anywhere except Bordeaux in France.