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Each new vintage of Marilyn Merlot is released on her birthday, June 1st, and sells out quickly. While collectors have made Marilyn Merlot one of the fastest-appreciating wines on the market, it is wine enthusiasts with a sense of humor who have long enjoyed the playful spirit behind Marilyn Merlot wines that are now also seeking the Marilyn Merlot because of the emphasis on making a notable wine from prized Napa Valley grapes. While the concept and engaging label of these wines has given these bottles a degree of frame, it is the wine in the bottle that merits the enthusiasm of those who seek it out every year.
"This wine is every bit as special as its package," says Donna Holder, one of the owners of Marilyn Wines. "It is a must for collectors, but is also a Napa Valley Merlot that stands beautifully on its own."
Marilyn Merlot wines consistently win praise from critics and lovers of stylish and delicious Merlot.
| Buy now | Read press reviews |
2006 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 2008
"The 2006 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The additional flavors and structure that Cabernet gives to the predominately Merlot-based wine adds both character and aging ability. Using one-third new oak barrels (as we do for all vintages) gives the appropriate aromas of toasted oak and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins. The fruit flavors are soft and mature. Vineyards for this wine continue to be from our longtime growers ranging in location from Yountville to St. Helena in the middle of the Napa Valley." - John McKay, winemaker
The wine itself is as alluring as the image of Marilyn that graces the label. The photo of Marilyn in a daringly low-cut dress was taken in 1958, and the dress is believed to be the one she wore at the debut announcement of Some Like It Hot.
$27.00 /bottle - 750 ml.
$175 /bottle 1.5 Liter
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2005 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 2007
Wine Collectors and connoisseurs alike have much to celebrate with the release of the 21st vintage of Marilyn Merlot. As always, the wine is released on Marilyn's birth date - June 1st - and the 2005 vintage will prove to be memorable, not only because it marks a "coming of age" for the Napa Valley icon, but also because it exemplifies the outstanding qualities of the 2005 vintage.
For more than two decades, the annual release of Marilyn Merlot has been an event much anticipated by legions of its fans.
"Every vintage sells out in just a few months," notes Bob Holder, President and one of the owners of Marilyn Wines. "We have seen 'celebrity' wines come and go, but there is only one Marilyn."
$50.00 /bottle - 750 ml.
$200 /bottle - 1.5 Liter
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Winemaker's Note: "The 2005 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. We prefer the added flavors and structure that Cabernet gives to the predominately Merlot based wine. The addition of 30% new oak barrels for this vintage gives the appropriate aromas of toasted oak and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins. The fruit flavors are soft and mature. Vineyards for this wine continue to be from our longtime growers ranging in location from Yountville to St. Helena in the middle of the Napa Valley." - John McKay
Vineyard Sources:
Yountmill Vineyard 73%
Beckstoffer Vineyard 27%
2004 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 2006
On June 1st of 2006, Marilyn Wines celebrates two decades of winemaking history with the release of the twentieth vintage of Marilyn Merlot. Beginning in 1985 as a playful idea, bringing together the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe and some of Napa Valley's finest Merlot wine, Marilyn Merlot has itself become a legend and is perhaps the most sought-after of all collectable wines.
Sam Shaw took the photo of Marilyn used on the label for the 2004 vintage, and it celebrates the many sides of this 1950s glamour goddess and immortal legend.
$55.00 /bottle - 750 ml. $210
/bottle - 1.5 Liter
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Winemaker's Note: "The 2004 Vintage of Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. We like the adds structure and character
that Cabernet gives this wine. Our typical use of 25% new oak barrels each year gives aromas of toasted vanilla beans and a more complex mouth feel from the new oak tannins. The fruit flavors are soft and ripe Vineyards for this wine continue to be from our longtime growers ranging in location from Yountville to St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley. " - John McKay
Vineyard Sources:
Yountmill Vineyard 74%
Beckstoffer Vineyard 26%
2003 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 2005
The 2003 Marilyn Merlot grapes were harvested by our longtime growers from vineyards
in the heart of the Napa Valley. Sam Shaw, Marilyn's favorite photographer
and a lifelong confidant, shot this photograph of Marilyn. When asked about
Sam Shaw, Marilyn said, "He always makes me look my best."
87pts (Two Puffs)
Admittedly on the showy side, Marilyn has done well with her well-endowed Merlots."
Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
About the Wine
The 2003 vintage Marilyn Merlot is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet
Sauvignon. A substantial addition of Cabernet adds greater complexity to the
nose and more
structure to the mouth. This wine was barrel aged using 30% new wood to enhance
the aromas of vanilla and roasted coffee. The fruity aromas and flavors are
ripe and soft reflecting the maturity and quality of the grapes we harvested.
All the vineyards for this wine are located in the heart of the Napa Valley
ranging from the Oak Knoll District to the Rutherford District.
-John McKay, Winemaker
$60.00 /bottle - 750 ml. $250
/bottle - 1.5 Liter
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Vineyard Sources:
Yountmill vineyard 62%
Beckstoffer Vineyard 28%
Rigi Vineyard 10%
Varietals: Merlot 85%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
Wine Analysis:
Harvested Dates: Late September 2003
Release Date: June 2005
Alcohol: 13.9
Total Acid: 0.68g/100ml
pH: 3.58
2002 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 20042001 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 20032000 Marilyn Merlot
Release date: June 1, 20021999 Marilyn Merlot
This striking portrait was created during Marilyn's first sitting with Milton Greene at the 20th Century Fox portrait studio in Hollywood in 1953. Too risqué to be published at the time, it's an elegant match for the 15th vintage of Marilyn Merlot.1998 Marilyn Merlot
This is the 14th vintage. It is a supple blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc grapes from the Napa Valley viticultural areas of Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville. Cinnamon and vanilla aromas from the oak compliment the milk chocolate and black cherry flavors of the fruit.1997 Marilyn Merlot
Wine enthusiasts with a sense of humor have enjoyed the playful spirit behind Marilyn Merlot, and wine connoisseurs and Marilyn Monroe fans across the globe have established Marilyn Merlot as a highly sought after wine. Each vintage, graced by a different image of Marilyn, is distributed in most of the US and exported in limited quantities to Europe and Japan.1996 Marilyn Merlot
"Every seven years or so I get an itch, and nothing can curve it like a luscious Merlot. If its name is Marilyn, so much the better... Some gentlemen prefer blondes, but I'll take the velvety Napa fruit and suave finish of this luscious red any day." - Anthony Dias Blue, wine and spirits editor for Bon Appetit.1995 Marilyn Merlot
Marilyn Merlot has appealed to a growing number of fans of this popular varietal and this famous Hollywood icon. Magazines from Playboy to Parade have written about Marilyn Merlot. The Wine Spectator has consistently rated Marilyn Merlot as one of California's best Merlots. Many newspapers, including the New York Times hailed the new releases.1994 Marilyn Merlot
The 1994 Marilyn Merlot was our tenth vintage. The photograph used in this label is one of Milton Greene's most famous Marilyn Monroe sessions. It was inspired by an ill-fitting white dress with a crinoline that Marilyn didn't wear but just held up to her body.1993 Marilyn Merlot
"A graceful and feminine red. Supple but medium-bodied with an explosion of berry and velvety plum flavors."1992 Marilyn Merlot
This vintage contained an unusually high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon - 21%; Cabernet Franc - 4%, Napa Valley Merlot - 75%.1991 Marilyn Merlot
"It's a little tart and very full bodied" - Chicago Tribune, Aug. 27, 1992.1990 Marilyn Merlot
"Ripe and spicy..." - Wine Spectator Buying Guide.1989 Marilyn Merlot
"Lean and lively, with a nice core of raspberry and currant flavors... Finishes smooth and inviting; makes you want another sip." - Wine Spectator, May 31, 1992.1988 Marilyn Merlot
"Soft, ripe and generous with lots of blackberry and currant aromas..." - Wine Spectator Buying Guide.1987 Marilyn Merlot
"Finishes smooth and inviting; makes you want another sip." - Wine Spectator, May 31 1992.1986 Marilyn Merlot
"This is one wine that can truly claim to be seductive." - Wine Spectator Buying Guide, Dec. 31 1998.1985 Marilyn Merlot
"Like the star it's named after, Marilyn Merlot is a full-bodied vintage from California, fruity and luscious." - Life Magazine, March 1988. There were two separate bottlings of 1985 Marilyn Merlot. The first lot, labeled "Red Table Wine", was sold primarily in the US. The second lot was primarily exported labeled "Merlot".
2004 Marilyn Merlot
2003 Marilyn Merlot
2006 Marilyn Merlot - Just Released