10 Best merlots red wines to drink this autumn

Best for: big-hitting Bordeaux

Stemming from the small Lalande de Pomerol appellation just to the north of super-prestigious – and super-pricey – Pomerol, this charismatic Bordeaux, made from 100 per cent merlot, is a classy companion for lighter meat dishes. Unusually for the region, winemaker Damien Bielle has aged the wine in amphorae rather than oak, which gives it a vibrant, ripe fruitiness with strong presence of bramble, cherry and plum, alongside more subtle herbal notes. Given structure by soft tannins and offering plenty on its lengthy finish, this is a brilliant, nuanced wine with which to toast cooler weather.