
2016 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville (1.5L Magnum)
96 Points - Wine Spectator
96 Points Wine Spectator
A towering young wine, laden with gorgeously pure plum, boysenberry and blackberry puree flavors, showing flashes of violet and apple wood. Beautifully rendered, with power, grace and beguiling perfume throughout, revealing a long, refined structure through the finish. Best from 2021 through 2035. — JM
Winemaker Notes
Vintage 2016 gave us yet another beautiful vintage in the Napa Valley. This following the fabulous vintages
of 2012-2015. Marked by a few late-season heat spells, the wines are as opulent as the 2012's, with the
concentration of the 2014s. Rather than crushing and fermenting at 95+ degrees with commercial yeast
strains to maximize extraction, Merus is fermented with primarily whole berries at 75 degrees using 100%
indigenous yeast. Cooler whole berry fermentations retain more esters specific to the variety and vineyard and
allow the yeast to remain viable to absolute dryness.
Composition
86% Cabernet Sauvignon (Coombsville), 14% Petit Verdot (Yountville)
Wine Specs
Vintage
2016
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation
Coombsville
Aging
26 Months in 100% new French oak
Alcohol %
15
Wine Spectator
96