Colombelle Merlot – Tannat 75cl

Juicy Merlot charm, with Tannat bringing the backbone. This French red is the kind of bottle you open when you want real flavour without overthinking it, dark fruit up front, then a firmer, more structured finish that keeps it interesting.

Merlot is doing the friendly work here (plum, cherry, easy drinking), and Tannat adds that extra grip and depth (think darker fruit, a touch of spice, and tannins that actually show up). If you like Malbec but sometimes want a bit more bite and savoury edge, this is a smart next step.

• Appearance: Deep ruby with a darker core.
• Nose: Black cherry and blackberry first, then cocoa, dried herbs, and a hint of pepper.
• Palate: Ripe dark fruit with medium acidity, and firm tannins that feel grippy, not harsh.
• Body: Medium to medium-full, with enough weight to stand up to food.
• Finish: Dry, lightly spiced, and pleasantly savoury, it lingers longer than you’d expect.

Food pairing: Put it next to a smashed burger with caramelized onions, roast chicken with paprika and potatoes, or a pepperoni pizza (bonus points for extra chilli flakes).

This is a great weeknight red because it does two jobs at once, it tastes generous and fruity when you just want to sip, but it also has enough structure to feel “serious” when there’s food on the table.

Want to get the best out of it? Give it a few minutes in the glass before you start judging it. That little bit of air helps the Merlot fruit pop and lets the Tannat tannins settle into something more rounded.

If your usual is basic Merlot and you’re curious what happens when you add a more bold, tannic grape into the mix, this is a super low-risk way to learn what you actually like in red wine.

Fun Fact: Tannat is famous for being one of the most tannin-packed red grapes around, which is exactly why a splash of it can make Merlot taste bigger, darker, and way more food-friendly.