Merus, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Torn labels

95 Points Wine Advocate

Tasted too late to make it into the December issue, Merus’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an inky/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of blueberry liqueur intermixed with graphite, charcoal, cassis, and spice. The wood seems pushed to the background given the extraordinary concentration of fruit. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich with chocolaty espresso notes intermixed with blackberries and blueberries, this pure, impressively textured, long Cabernet should evolve for two decades. (RP) 02/2010

95 Points CellarTracker Member

Needed something on short notice and ready on open—this did the trick. PnP and ready from the start for this now adult 18 yr old. Not as boisterous as my last bottle in 2020. More tertiary notes but better balance as well. Not sure I’ve ever used the word balance in a Herold made wine tasting note before. Clear at the rim but no transitionary bricking. Deep, dark extracted beauty, oak and tannins completely integrated. Blackberry compote, tilled earth, charcoal, saline, cola, dried plums (but not prunish), black raspberry, black cherry, pipe tobacco, red cherry (in the form of Luden’s cough drops), medium length finish. A lot going on in the glass, hides higher AC content well. This is clearly past peak for fruit lovers, but in the zone if you like a more balanced attack. 2/6/2025

93 Points CellarTracker Member

At friends daughters graduation party, and after 2013 Martinelli Jackass vineyard. This wine has matured. Does not have the strong fruit taste of its youth but this is not a flaw but an aspect of maturity. It was a lovely nuanced wins, and again almost tasted like a blended French wine. Has weight but is also elegant, and it feels like all the components have evolved and made a different wine. Stored on its side, there was sediment firmly etched into the glass, which I like to see as a sign of wine development. Agree with other rates not a beast but more on the elegant side. Not clear if this was 100% cab of contained other grapes such as cab franc. Went down very smoothly. Think it's ready now but might stay at this level for another 5 years. 6/11/2022