Merus

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.255 ratings
9.37 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Mike R
9.3

In mag - still youthful - helped me spread candy out to truck treaters lol - ripe black cherries and plums - plenty of tertiary notes like tobacco cedar and cocoa - plenty of life left - just lovely 😄

In mag - still youthful - helped me spread candy out to truck treaters lol - ripe black cherries and plums - plenty of tertiary notes like tobacco cedar and cocoa - plenty of life left - just lovely 😄

Nov 1st, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Dark inky color.

On the nose; big dark floral fruits of; mulberry, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark liqueur style cherries, faint strawberries, spice, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets.

The body is big, full & lush. The structure, length, tension and balance are just starting to hit its stride. The wine is seamless beginning to end. Ripe; blackberries, dark style liqueur style cherries, mulberries, stewed plums, black plum, black raspberries & strawberries & creamy raspberries on the glass edges. Dark spice with some lifting palate heat, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, dry herbs, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets. The acidity is round and nicely executed. The long, big, rich, lush, ripe, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.

It’s delicious tonight but, it’s still early. Give it 5 more years and will drink well for another 5-8 years after that!

Photos of; Merus with a beautiful sunset, dinning/Private tasting room, entrance into their cellars and their main tasting room.

Dark inky color.

On the nose; big dark floral fruits of; mulberry, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark liqueur style cherries, faint strawberries, spice, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets.

The body is big, full & lush. The structure, length, tension and balance are just starting to hit its stride. The wine is seamless beginning to end. Ripe; blackberries, dark style liqueur style cherries, mulberries, stewed plums, black plum, black raspberries & strawberries & creamy raspberries on the glass edges. Dark spice with some lifting palate heat, limestone, crushed dry rocks, big layers of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark chocolate and mocha powder. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, dry herbs, saddle-wood, dry stem and perfumed lavender & violets. The acidity is round and nicely executed. The long, big, rich, lush, ripe, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.

It’s delicious tonight but, it’s still early. Give it 5 more years and will drink well for another 5-8 years after that!

Photos of; Merus with a beautiful sunset, dinning/Private tasting room, entrance into their cellars and their main tasting room.

Jul 28th, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The tasting room at Merus. The 09 is drinking nicely. Figs, dates and spice on the nose. Dark fruit liqueur; blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, rich dark wet earth, violets, more tannin structure than the 11 &13, soft easy light minerals. This is round & lush and does finish.

The tasting room at Merus. The 09 is drinking nicely. Figs, dates and spice on the nose. Dark fruit liqueur; blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, rich dark wet earth, violets, more tannin structure than the 11 &13, soft easy light minerals. This is round & lush and does finish.

Sep 17th, 2016
Jayme Henderson-Steese

Dark blackberry, vanilla, cedar on the nose. Tannins are well-integrated, and the finish is complex with dark berries, cigar box, dried herbs, and a granite-like mineral-driven finish. Grrrrrreat!

Dark blackberry, vanilla, cedar on the nose. Tannins are well-integrated, and the finish is complex with dark berries, cigar box, dried herbs, and a granite-like mineral-driven finish. Grrrrrreat!

Feb 18th, 2014
Jim McCusker

Not the best Merus I’ve ever had - I think the 2002 still holds that record - but this was still excellent and developed quite nicely with additional time in the glass.

Not the best Merus I’ve ever had - I think the 2002 still holds that record - but this was still excellent and developed quite nicely with additional time in the glass.

Dec 28th, 2020
Martin Diehr

Drinks nicely - 10 years of age. I wouldn’t wait much longer.

Drinks nicely - 10 years of age. I wouldn’t wait much longer.

Mar 18th, 2019
Martin Diehr

Powerful big red! Love this Wine

Powerful big red! Love this Wine

Jan 10th, 2018
Brian Lenich

In Atlanta with Matt and Jenn wonderful wine!

In Atlanta with Matt and Jenn wonderful wine!

Nov 3rd, 2017
Rob Sternthal

Full bodied. Tannins are still very strong. Might need a few more years at least.

Full bodied. Tannins are still very strong. Might need a few more years at least.

Mar 10th, 2017
Chuck Hemann

When you are in the mood for a monster cab. So good.

When you are in the mood for a monster cab. So good.

May 7th, 2016