The Brave New World carousel in the wine biz continues to spin off deals, and today’s fun find is a culty Napa Valley Cabernet we’ve never seen discounted before. Wine critic Robert Parker blew this true garagiste Cabernet (as Merus’ first vintages were literally made in founder/winemaker Mark Herold’s two-car garage in Napa) into cult status upon its very first vintage in 1998, and ever since, it’s been a magnet for top scores and a tough find, even at its $200+ price tag. At $120, well, it’s the sort of opportunity that will cause those who cellar big Napa Valley Cabs to rejoice! I’ve only had it once or twice but I remember it as a large-scale, brooding wine that gets a ton of oomph from several longstanding mountain fruit sources and a svelte sense of silk and polish from the Coombsville fruit that has been a part of the wine since the start.
The winery calls the 2021 a ‘benchmark for Napa Valley Cabernet,’ and speaks to its mouth-coating texture and forward, luxuriant caramel, cherry, blueberry and blackberry notes that get carried along by hints of cinnamon, fig and spice. A big, fun mouthful of rich, plush Cabernet now, we think it will also age into something graceful if you have the time to let it happen.
We fell into 30 bottles of Merus 2021 at a Brave New World price. When it’s gone, it is, alas, gone!
Tasting Panel, 99 points: Sophisticated, with balletic motion.
Decanter, 97 points: This wine showcases youthful exuberance with the structure and poise to cellar gracefully for another decade or more.
Jeb Dunnuck, 97 points: Gorgeous yet substantial tannins, and a thrilling finish.
James Suckling, 96 points: This is a great combo of power and polish. Above reviews are snippets of full published reviews
