I’m not quite sure how it started or why I picked up that first bottle of Marilyn Merlot wine back in the 90’s. What started as an impulse buy somehow grew to a collection that ranged for ten years. When I dug through the cellar recently, I realized that I had acquired eight vintages (not sure what happened to 98 or 01) with duplicate bottles of some years. After much prodding from my husband to clear some wine cellar space and realizing I had a few hundred dollars of sunk cost in this particular wine, I decided to host a vertical tasting for my friends.
The Marilyn wines begain in 1981, when a small group of Napa friends started making wine at their home in the Napa Valley. One evening in 1983, over dinner and a bottle of homemade wine, the “Marilyn Merlot” concept was born and the wines went on sale to the public in 1985.
Other than wine and art, I am not a collector (my husband would disagree and add expensive shoes to the list). No Hummel’s or figurines or themed knick knacks adorn my home. So, while I had no idea why I had started this particular collection, I was hopeful that a wine between $19 and $30 a bottle would be decent and it would be fun to taste the evolution.
So five of us gathered with some anticipation and began to taste. I planned to do tasting notes for the eight bottles that we tried beginning with 96. The wines were uniformly described in online reviews as tasting of chocolate, raspberries and blueberries and having an almost velvety mouth feel. That wasn’t our experience with a single bottle. In fact, most were undrinkable. Of the eight that we tasted, only the 97 was interesting enough to take another sip. It was just not good and I had two bottles of two different vintages that were both corked.
Now I could blame a few moves for the earlier bottle disappointment, but I’ve had proper Eurocave storage units since 2000, so I no excuse for the later vintages. My final tasting note after having the 04 and 05 was one simple word – no. Marilyn Monroe once said, “I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. Or, in my words, sometimes you can’t stand on celebrity.
So, a lesson was learned by me that day. Just say no to trendy collections. Do not buy wine affiliated with a celebrity unless you have personally validated it. And, the overall reality that I could have acquired a great Napa cabernet, a bottle of fine Italian wine or even a vintage second growth Bordeaux for the cost of ten bottles of Marilyn made me realize there would be no more meaningless relationships with celebrity wines in my future.
I found a bottle of 1999 napa valley merlot wine, empty unfortunately. Marilyn Monroe. I was just wondering if it was worth anything, especially now that the contents have been drank. If so how much do you think it is worth?
Jeannette
Jeannette, sadly I think it’s worth zero. Years ago, I started a collection of them because I thought it was cool. We open ten years of verticals one day and it wasn’t a good ending.
I have 8-10 bottles of Marilyn Merlot for Sale were do I go to sale it
I wish that I had a good answer for you – I had the same experience. https://www.dallaswinechick.com/a-decade-of-marilyn-merlot-wine-a-collectible-experience/ Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I just don’t think the market is there.
I have several bottles of the Marilyn Merlot wine collection 1986 thru 1990’s.
They were not properly stored and should not be consumed but all full. Is there a market for these to sell? I hate to just throw them away.
I think there is always a collectors market, but I know since eBay made it illegal to sell wine, it may be a lot of effort for little pay off. Hate to be the bearer of bad news.
What is a collection of Marilyn Monrow wine from 1985 thru 2012 worth.
Where would i advertise my collection for sale?
All bottles 1985 through 2012.
rwomack36@yahoo.com
Bob, unfortunately probably not much. I’d go to the Marilyn Monroe collectors vs the wine collectors based on my experience. It’s just not very good.
I have two bottles of Merlot wine from the breeders cup never been opened 1998.they are collector’s edition and are in mint condition,does anyone know what they might be worth?
You might want to check with Ackerwines.com. They are an auction house and would be the best equipped to let you know market value.
I have 50 bottles of Marilyn Monroe wine bottles dating from the 1980’s to the present. 2 of the bottles are the 2003 and 2004 Vintage Collection. All the bottles are stored properly and in perfect shape. I have about $10,000 dollars invested over the last 20 years. What is my collection worth. The collection also includes 6 Marilyn Monroe cigarette lighters, her cigarette case, 6 coasters,4 plate collections, deck of cards and 7 MM shot glasses and a bottle of Marilyn Monroe Vodka.
Based on my experience, Ken, probably very little. There just doesn’t seem to be a market for these wines due to outlets like Cost Plus selling them for so many years. I’d try some of the sites that sell her merchandise vs the wines sites. Good luck. You could always try the auction houses, but I don’t think you’ll have too much luck on the private market.
I have the whole collection I have notified several auction houses no one will touch it
Unfortunately I thought that would be the case based on my experience. I’m so sorry…
I have 50 bottles of Marilyn Monroe wine in perfect shape I would like to sell. I have over $10000 invested. Bottles range from the 1980’s to the present.
I thought buying these bottles would come up in value if they were full and in good condition.I also have about 80 bottles of many years ago. I also have a large collection of MArilyn Monroe collectible
Unfortunately so did I. That turned out not to be the case. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.
As I read your comments on the value of Marilyn Merlo wines , I’m confused looking at the MM website some of the bottles show values of hundreds of dollars can you discuss the different valuations.
I can only tell you what I found at the time that I tried on the open market. Hopefully you would be able to sell them directly to the Marilyn Merlot folks. Keep me posted if you are successful. Of course, value is translated by what people are willing to pay for it.
Empty Bottle Prices ? 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2004 Blonde de nois, 2000 & 2012 Norma Jean. EMPTY! So many more full. + Magnum’s in box 2002, 2003,2004 Beautiful! (Full) Looking for prices on Empty Bottles.
I have absolutely no idea. I assume empty bottles are worthless in the world of wine. Sorry I can’t help.
Saggestion to MM produsers to not become next big joke in history and stay valuble in the market and offer “BUY BACK” PICES.
I HAVE FULL COLLECTION OF MM., MARILYN CAB.YOUNG MM, SHAMPAINE
AND MANY MORE
prs. Please respond
It would be nice of those folks do what you ask. Sadly, I think it’s a classic buyer beware situation. Good luck.
A few years ago I started buying one bottle of each different Marilyn Merlot label as they were released just for the novelty and I liked the pictures. I had 6 bottles stored in my wine fridge. But when I decided to try one after a few years it tasted like vinegar. I asked a wine guy why that was and he said some wines are made to improve with age, others are meant to drink right away. I emptied all the bottles and kept them just for display until I chucked them during a move. Seeing as I originally bought the bottles for how they looked, I guess I got my money’s worth. 🙂
Thank you for being so pragmatic. I feel so bad for the folks that thought this was a collectors item (I originally fell into that camp) or that it was going to have some worth as a set. Lots of duped people out there.
I know this is probably a different question but my bffs mother just passed away last night. Her name was Marilyn and 91 years old. She died be a cause of this horrible covid. She loved Chardonnay and my friend thought it would be nice to put her ashes in a Marilyn Monroe Chardonnay wine bottle. Does anyone know where I can find this
First, I’m so sorry for your loss. Pam, I don’t think that the Marilyn Monroe collection makes a traditional chardonnay. They do have a sparkling that I assume has chardonnay grapes in the mix. https://www.marilynwines.com/THE-COLLECTION My advice would be to buy a bottle of that, drink it as a toast to her memory and then use the Blanc de Noirs bottle. I see it’s sold out on the website, so you may need to contact your local wine store to see if they still have it in stock.
Anyone selling the 1985-1995 FULL and stored properly?
I need 2 of each! Contact me at sassyh67@hotmail.com
Thank you! Both my kids collect to display..
You are welcome to ask here and I know folks are reading (and have been asking me in the past). Hopefully there is a reader who can assist.
I have the whole collection plus some extras.I also have a collection of the Norma Jeans. I need to sell them but not sure of the price. Can anyone help?
Rebecca, I haven’t found anyone here that has been able to establish the worth of a collection. Good luck.
I have a bottle of 1991 Marilyn Merlot. Does it have any value and if so to who?
Funny, although I am far from a wine connoisseur, I discovered the Marilyn Merlot at one of our local upscale restaurants here in Orange County California. I thought that it was a good wine, especially for the price, and have since managed to collect at least one bottle from each year of production.
I can only tell you that my experience was that my collection of Marilyn Merlot did not. I’ve always received inquiries of how to sell vs how to buy.
You should start drinking them and see the evolution!