1999 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
There are 300+ cases of Merus's 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon (the second vintage produced by proprietors Mark Herold and Erika Gottl) which tips the scales with a well-hidden 14.8% alcohol. The saturated blue/purple color is accompanied by aromas of sweet licorice, high quality French oak, and black currant as well as blackberry fruit. The wine is full-bodied and rich, with elegance, sweet tannin, and a textured, impressive mouthfeel, it is one of the top wines of the vintage. This is a full-throttle effort to drink over the next 15-16 years. Most of this winery's production is sold via a mailing list. Tel. (707) 251-5551
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep medium ruby. Sexy nose of roasted black raspberry, cassis, root beer, meat and spicy, toasty oak. Lush, dense, sweet and powerful; an outsized wine with rich flavors of black fruits and spices. Still, I'd like to have found a bit more verve and finesse. Decant this wine well in advance if you plan to try it now.