Josh Cellars Merlot
Merlot · California
$14.99
Showing image 1 of 1: Oyster Bay Merlot 750 Ml front bottle
Oyster Bay Merlot
Oyster Bay · Hawke's Bay · New Zealand
$6.99
1
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Why it’s a great value
It carries a verified 90-point score from Decanter World Wine Awards at a price under $25. The next step up in the same style, Josh Cellars Merlot, is $14.99.
Taste profile
SweetnessDry → Sweet
BodyLight → Full
Acidity*Soft → Bright
Tannin*Silky → Grippy
Oak*None → Bold
Fruit*Subtle → Intense
* WineDiscounts editorial estimate based on verified tasting notes.
What it tastes like
Cherry and plum fruit with a touch of spice, light chocolate-mint nuance and a soft, easy finish.
You’ll like this if…
Choose this if you like smooth Merlot, fruit-forward reds, or softer Cabernet-family wines without heavy tannin.
Why buy it
A recognizable New Zealand producer, Hawke's Bay origin and French oak aging make this a polished everyday Merlot at a friendly price.
Best for
An easy red for roast chicken, burgers, mushrooms, casual dinners and guests who prefer smoother reds.
Style
Medium-bodied, dry, soft-tannin Merlot with ripe red fruit and subtle oak spice.
Drinks like
Softer Washington Merlot, Chilean Merlot, or entry-level right-bank Bordeaux-style reds with less oak and tannin.
Experience level
Beginner-friendly, with enough regional character for regular wine drinkers.
Flavor notes
Pairs well with
roast chicken with herbs · grilled burgers or meatloaf · mushroom risotto · aged cheddar or gouda
Serving & enjoying
- Serving temperature:
- 60-65°F
- Decanting:
- No full decant needed; let breathe 15-20 minutes in the glass.
- Glassware:
- Standard red wine glass or Bordeaux-style glass.
- Drink or cellar:
- Best enjoyed young for its fresh fruit and soft texture.
- After opening:
- Reseal and refrigerate; enjoy within 3 days.
Guidance partly estimated by WineDiscounts from the wine’s style.
About this wine
Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot is a smooth, fruit-forward New Zealand red with bright cherry, rich plum, subtle spice and soft tannins. French oak barrique aging adds gentle complexity while keeping the focus on fresh, ripe fruit.
Wine details
- Type
- red
- Varietal
- Merlot
- Grapes
- Merlot
- Producer
- Oyster Bay
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Hawke's Bay
- Appellation
- Hawke's Bay
- Bottle size
- 750 Ml
- ABV
- 13%
Details last verified September 25, 2026
Explore
Winemaking details ›
- Vineyard source:
- Hawke's Bay, with vineyard locations listed for the current technical release as Gimblett Road and Crownthorpe Terraces.
- Vessel:
- Stainless steel fermentation tanks; malolactic fermentation in tank and French oak barriques.
About the winery · Oyster Bay ›
Oyster Bay is a New Zealand wine brand focused on cool-climate wines from the country's leading regions, especially Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. The brand released its first vintage in 1990 and emphasizes fruit purity, regional character and approachable style. For Merlot, Oyster Bay looks to Hawke's Bay, one of New Zealand's warmest grape-growing areas and a strong region for Bordeaux varieties. The winery states that its wines are made to be elegant, assertive and fruit-driven rather than reserve-tier bottlings.
Critic reviews
90/100Decanter World Wine Awards
“2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, UK - 2024 Oyster Bay Merlot - awarded 90 points.”
90/100James Suckling
“2025 James Suckling, USA - 2023 Oyster Bay Merlot - awarded 90 points.”
87/100Wine Enthusiast
“Aromas of chocolate-covered cherry, mint and spice; light red-fruit palate with some tannin and a quick finish.”
Trade up
$14.99Josh Cellars Merlot
Merlot · California
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Oyster Bay Merlot dry or sweet?
- Oyster Bay Merlot is bone dry — its sweetness rating is 1 on our 1 (bone dry) to 5 (sweet) scale. It is medium-bodied.
- What does Oyster Bay Merlot taste like?
- Cherry and plum fruit with a touch of spice, light chocolate-mint nuance and a soft, easy finish.
- What food pairs with Oyster Bay Merlot?
- It pairs well with roast chicken with herbs, grilled burgers or meatloaf, mushroom risotto and aged cheddar or gouda.
- How should I serve Oyster Bay Merlot?
- Serve at 60-65°F. No full decant needed; let breathe 15-20 minutes in the glass. Glass: Standard red wine glass or Bordeaux-style glass.
- Is Oyster Bay Merlot a good value?
- At $6.99 it carries a verified 90-point score from Decanter World Wine Awards; the review is shown on this page.
- What is the bottle size and alcohol content of Oyster Bay Merlot?
- 750 ml bottle, 13% alcohol by volume.