Researchers at University of California, Davis believe that Merlot is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and is a sibling of Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Researchers at University of California, Davis believe that Merlot is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and a virtually unknown variety Magdeleine Noire des Charentesand. It is also a partial-sibling of Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon.