Mark Herold's most recent release is a deep red/purple, opaque and intense fruit-loaded Cabernet Sauvignon blend (94% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% of Petit verdot and Malbec) that can be considered a mamouth of a wine. It resembles, in my opinion, not the previous vintages from this successful "garagiste" winemaker, but some of the other wines he has helped create, more specifically the Buccella vintages of 2003 and 2004. There is a wonderful nose of mixed blackberry, black raspberry and boysenberry jam, licorice, smoke and caramelized toasted oak. This intense, yet balanced wine enters the palate assertively and explodes like a true Napa Valley fruit bomb. The flavors are as intense and mirror what its aromas reveal. The finish is extra long, with the intoxicating flavors remaining in the palate for minutes, not seconds. I shall certainly try to get at least a couple of more bottles of this impressive wine. Robert Parker gave the Merus 2005 a score of 96 points, but considered the wine to be somewhat young and in need of additional cellaring time before consumption. I don't think I agree with RP entirely. I think the Merus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 is ready now as it will be for years to come.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Merus Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage 2005, Score=5
Mark Herold's most recent release is a deep red/purple, opaque and intense fruit-loaded Cabernet Sauvignon blend (94% Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% of Petit verdot and Malbec) that can be considered a mamouth of a wine. It resembles, in my opinion, not the previous vintages from this successful "garagiste" winemaker, but some of the other wines he has helped create, more specifically the Buccella vintages of 2003 and 2004. There is a wonderful nose of mixed blackberry, black raspberry and boysenberry jam, licorice, smoke and caramelized toasted oak. This intense, yet balanced wine enters the palate assertively and explodes like a true Napa Valley fruit bomb. The flavors are as intense and mirror what its aromas reveal. The finish is extra long, with the intoxicating flavors remaining in the palate for minutes, not seconds. I shall certainly try to get at least a couple of more bottles of this impressive wine. Robert Parker gave the Merus 2005 a score of 96 points, but considered the wine to be somewhat young and in need of additional cellaring time before consumption. I don't think I agree with RP entirely. I think the Merus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 is ready now as it will be for years to come.
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