Markham Six Stack Merlot

Markham Six Stack Merlot is a North Coast California red wine blending 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon at 14.2% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Named for the distinctive practice of stacking French oak barrels six high inside Markham Vineyards' historic Stone Cellar, this bottling earned a Bronze Medal at the 2023 North Coast Wine Challenge and carries an average 90.5-point rating on CellarTracker.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: North Coast, California  |  Varietal: 86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Markham Vineyards, Napa Valley

Production & Heritage

Markham Vineyards operates out of Napa Valley and has long been recognized for producing accessible, fruit-driven California wines. The Six Stack Merlot is fermented in stainless steel tanks before spending 10 to 12 months aging in a combination of French and American oak barrels. Those barrels are stacked six high in the winery's iconic Stone Cellar — a method the winery credits for developing the wine's signature depth and richness, and the direct inspiration behind the "Six Stack" name. The small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend adds structural backbone to the Merlot's naturally soft, round character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry leads the nose, followed by ripe plum and a wave of milk chocolate. Beneath those primary fruit notes, subtle hints of espresso and toasted oak emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is lush and fruit-forward, dominated by blackberry and satsuma plum. At mid-palate the wine reveals layers of dark chocolate and mocha, supported by the gentle tannic structure contributed by the Cabernet Sauvignon component. The body registers medium to full, with a soft, velvety texture that keeps the wine approachable despite its concentration.

Finish: Long and supple, with lingering flavors of dark fruit, mocha, and a subtle hint of baking spice. The oak influence remains measured, adding warmth rather than dominating the fruit.

How to Drink Six Stack Merlot

This wine is at its best at cellar temperature — roughly 60–65°F — poured into a large-bowled glass that gives the dark fruit aromas room to develop. Fifteen to twenty minutes of breathing time helps the chocolate and espresso nuances fully emerge. While primarily a sipping wine, its plush fruit profile also works well in red-wine cocktails: a Kalimotxo, where the Merlot's soft tannins blend seamlessly with cola over ice; a Red Wine Sangria, where its dark cherry and plum amplify citrus and stone-fruit additions; or a New York Sour, where the wine's velvety body creates a rich float over a whiskey sour base.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a crowd-pleasing, food-friendly red
• Introducing Merlot skeptics to a well-structured North Coast example
• Gifting a casual wine drinker who gravitates toward smooth, fruit-driven reds
• Building an affordable Napa-adjacent tasting lineup alongside Cabernet and Zinfandel

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Six Stack Merlot taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry and satsuma plum, transitions into dark chocolate and mocha at mid-palate, and finishes long with lingering dark fruit and a touch of spice. The overall impression is medium-to-full-bodied, soft, and velvety.

How does Six Stack Merlot compare to L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot? L'Ecole No. 41 sources fruit from Washington's Columbia Valley and tends toward a more structured, earth-driven profile, while the Markham Six Stack leans into lush dark fruit and chocolate from its North Coast California origin and French-and-American-oak aging regime. Both sit in a similar value tier, but the Six Stack generally drinks rounder and more immediately approachable.

Is Six Stack Merlot good for beginners? Its soft tannins, generous fruit, and smooth finish make it an excellent entry point for anyone new to red wine or specifically exploring Merlot as a varietal.

Where is Six Stack Merlot made? It is produced by Markham Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, using fruit sourced from North Coast vineyards. The wine is aged in the winery's Stone Cellar, where barrels are stacked six high.

What foods pair well with Six Stack Merlot? Herb-crusted lamb chops complement the wine's dark fruit and spice; mushroom risotto echoes its earthy undertones; a dark chocolate torte mirrors its mocha and chocolate notes; slow-braised short ribs match its full body; and aged Gouda amplifies its toasty oak character.

What sizes does Six Stack Merlot come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Six Stack Merlot worth the price? It positions as a value-to-mid-tier California Merlot that punches above its price bracket thanks to dual-oak aging and a Napa Valley pedigree, making it a strong buy for everyday drinking and casual entertaining.

Why Six Stack Merlot?

The barrel-stacking method that gives this wine its name is more than branding — stacking six high in Markham's Stone Cellar creates a specific microclimate around each barrel that influences how the wine evolves during its 10-to-12-month aging period. The blend's 14% Cabernet Sauvignon adds a spine of tannin that keeps the wine from tipping into flabbiness, a common pitfall in fruit-forward Merlot. A Bronze Medal at the 2023 North Coast Wine Challenge and a 90.5-point CellarTracker average confirm it delivers consistent quality at an accessible price point. For drinkers who want a polished, chocolate-and-plum-driven Merlot rooted in North Coast terroir, few bottles in this range make the case as convincingly.