Winemaker Notes
The 2006 Merus is deep inky purple in color with intense aromas of black cherries, layered with exotic spice, hints of cinnamon, mocha, dark chocolate, cassis and blackberries. In the mouth, the entry possesses tremendous intensity and a massive palate impression. Mouth coating flavors with an abundance of dark cherry fruit on the opening followed by dark dense fruit, dark chocolate and exotic spices together with abundant velvety tannins, gives this wine its structure and rich multi-layered texture. This wine expands in the mouth for a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is really powerful on the nose, with reduced aromas of blackberries, raspberries and cherries. Full bodied, with loads of velvety tannins and a thick, jammy after taste. But it's balanced and pretty.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Although closed at present, Merus’ inky/purple-colored 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon displays enormous power and richness. It is a massive, blockbuster-styled effort possessing black fruits, plenty of spicy oak, hints of licorice and graphite, and mouth-staining tannins and extract in the finish.
Rating: 92+
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Wine Spectator
A bold, rich style that's very well-done, making the mix of extracted dark berry, mocha, cedar and crushed rock sync with drying dusty oak, turning to melted black licorice on the finish.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.