Palate
Dark, layered and complex are the leading descriptors for our 2009 Cabernet. The wine is vibrant and
focused with dollops of black licorice, brown tobacco, exotic tree essence, black and red fruits, cassis and
minerals. The wine’s thick texture and intense fruit flavors overshadow the well-integrated tannins.
Growing Conditions
Merus is handmade in every sense of the word. It is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from
Coombsville, the newest AVA in Napa. The individual vineyards selected for Merus are owned by a
handful of serious growers who possess extraordinary terroirs and a willingness to implement our strict
farming and harvesting protocols. Severe pruning, cluster sorting, small-lot fermentations and careful
lot selection combine to create a wine that is dense, concentrated and nuanced. 2009 represents our
12th vintage of Merus now made entirely in our temperature and humidity controlled, subterranean
caves below Howell Mountain.
The 2009 Merus features individual rows of vines from the top vineyards in Coombsville, a rugged area
located in southern end of Napa Valley. Isolated and protected, Coombsville’s Region II climate is
warmer and sunnier than nearby Carneros and cooler than many renowned AVAs to the north. The
topography is a mix of hills, benches and mountains and the soils are volcanic, marine and alluvial. The
unusual growing conditions create wines that are lush, structured, and elegant.
Although it finished with some drama, the 2009 vintage ultimately turned out to be an exceptional
year for Merus. From start to finish, season was generally mild and steady with the exception of a heavy
rainstorm in October. Fortunately, the Cabernet clusters were loosely packed and once the rain
cleared, the dry fruit was harvested clean and in great shape. Because we had no real heat spikes, the fruit
possessed phenolic maturity and ripeness without excessive sugar.
Aging
100% New French oak from selected coopers; 20 months in barrel.
