Merus
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Coombsville AVA
Auction 22 | Lot No. 121
Vintage: 2016
Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Coombsville
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Coombsville nested appellation
- Aged in 100% French oak, providing structure and subtle vanilla hints on the finish
- Coombsville’s cool temperatures produce intense Cabernet Sauvignon with a very distinct structure
- Hand-harvested and -sorted, this wine is handmade in every sense of the word
Description
Your Premier Napa Valley Merus lot is powerful, graceful, balanced and epitomizes the Coombsville appellation. The cooler climate allows for a long, slow, ripening period and more hang time, which creates wines that are intensely concentrated but also soft and subtle. The wine is aged in 100 percent French oak. Aromas of black currant and berry syrup carry through onto the silk and rich palate.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
John Clews
Winemaker, Merus
Merus earned its cult status through hard work, uncompromising standards and incredible fruit from the Coombsville AVA in southeastern Napa Valley. For Winemaker, John Clews, his hands-on approach to winemaking and strict farming protocols create wines that are handmade in every sense of the word. A Rhodesia native, John brings over 25 years of experience in the wine industry and continues Merus' commitment to producing world-class, handcrafted cult Cabernets.
John started his career as a London accountant, but his passion for wine led him to swap his note pad for a crush pad and life as a full-time winemaker. Having received his degree at University of Cape Town, John discovered his passion for wine and quickly became enthralled with the art of winemaking.
In pursuit of his dream, he attended the University of California, Davis where he was awarded the prestigious M.A. Amerine Research Scholarship from the Wine Spectator and earned his M.S. in Viticulture and Enology.
While he attended Davis, he worked almost full time for the best wine shop in Sacramento, Corti Bros, where he thought he learned as much as he did at Davis. After graduation John went on to work at Preston, Dry Creek for a harvest, then at Newton as the cellar master.
John refined his craft working with varied appellations and varietals before achieving a position as winemaker at Konocti in Lake County. He has since worked at Steele Winery in Lake County as General Manager/ Chief Enologist, Clos Du Val in Napa as Head Winemaker/Chief Operations Officer and most recently, E & J Gallo as Red Wine Manager.
John believes the climate, soils and varietal intensity make Napa Valley a special place to produce wine. The Merus boutique winery is gorgeous and the Coombsville and Yountville vineyards are about as good as you can get on the valley floor.
John looks forward to continuing Merus' hallmarks of producing rich, opulent and silky Cabernets. His typical day at Merus begins with meeting with the cellar crew and vineyard managers, working in the wine caves and cellar, and, when time allows, interacting with guests in the Merus tasting room.
In his free time John enjoys staying active in the outdoors by hiking, cycling and playing tennis in addition to reading and listening to classical music. His favorite place to travel is Europe because of the varied cultures, food and wine. John lives in Napa with his wife, Lisa, and three cats, Bruiser, Zam Zam and Tempest.
Country born: Rhodesia- Zimbabwe
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Beckendorf Liquors, Inc
5005 West Avenue
San Antonio TX 78213
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Beckendorf Liquors, Inc:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buoncristiani Family Winery | 2022 | Dessert | Calistoga | The Closer | 27 (2023) |
| Hudson Napa Valley | 2021 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Trillium | 27 (2023) |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three/Sixteenths | 27 (2023) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 2003 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | Brut Napa Valley Carneros Late Disgorged | 27 (2023) |
| Belle Glos | 2020 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 26 (2022) |
| Trois Noix | 2020 | Chardonnay | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Muir Hanna Vineyard | 25 (2021) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2018 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard Block Selection | 24 (2020) |
| Quilt | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Viader Vineyards & Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block B2 | 24 (2020) |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Buena Vista Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Purple Gold | 23 (2019) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | VanZ Vineyard | 23 (2019) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Mount Veeder's Share | 23 (2019) |
| Materra, Cunat Family Vineyards | 2017 | Merlot | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| PEJU | 2017 | Petit Verdot | Calistoga | Petit Pleasure | 23 (2019) |
| Red Thread Wines and Summit Lake Vineyards and Winery | 2017 | Red Wine | Howell Mountain | 23 (2019) | |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 23 (2019) |
| Ancien | 2017 | Chardonnay | Coombsville | Select Old Vines | 22 (2018) |
| Casa Nuestra | 2015 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Jarvis | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Frankly Franc | 22 (2018) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Merus | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 22 (2018) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three's Company | 22 (2018) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 22 (2018) |
| Schermeister Cellars | 2017 | Chardonnay | Atlas Peak | Oak Before Smoke | 22 (2018) |
| Smith Devereux | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Ibex Reserve Red | 22 (2018) |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2016 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 22 (2018) |
| Bennett Lane | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 21 (2017) | |
| Black Stallion Estate Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Gaspare Single Vineyard | 21 (2017) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Haymaker TKO | 21 (2017) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Tomahawk Vineyard Unfiltered | 21 (2017) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| PEJU | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Fashionista | 21 (2017) |
| Foley Johnson | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2015 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 40th Anniversary of The Judgment of Paris Tasting | 20 (2016) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Terlato Family Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Blend 715 | 20 (2016) |
| The Hess Collection Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 20 (2016) | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 19 (2015) | |
| Clos Du Val | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Thirteen Leaps | 19 (2015) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2014 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Great Chicago Showdown | 19 (2015) |
| Inglenook | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Creek | 19 (2015) |
| Stags’ Leap Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Estate Grown | 19 (2015) |
| Castello di Amorosa | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 254 Meritage Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Madrigal Family Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Paraduxx | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2012 | Red Wine | Calistoga | One Plus Ultra | 18 (2014) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2012 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 17 (2013) | |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| XTANT | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Heart and Soul of St. Helena | 17 (2013) |
| Hewitt Vineyard | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Oakville Meets Calistoga in Rutherford | 15 (2011) |
| Madonna Estate | 2010 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Due Ragazze | 15 (2011) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stice Lane Vineyards | 15 (2011) |
Winery Distribution
Merus is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alabama (Alabama Crown)
- Arizona (SGWS)
- California (SGWS)
- Florida (SGWS)
- Georgia (Georgia Crown)
- Hawaii (SGWS)
- Illinois (SGWS)
- Kentucky (SGWS)
- Maryland (SGWS)
- Michigan (Imperial Beverage)
- Missouri (SGWS)
- Montana (George's Distributing Inc)
- New Jersey (SGWS)
- New Jersey (Allied Beverage Group)
- New York (SGWS)
- North Carolina (Johnson Brothers)
- Oregon (SGWS)
- Pennsylvania (SGWS)
- Tennessee (Lipman Bros)
- Texas (SGWS)
- Virginia (RNDC Virginia)
- Washington (SGWS)
- Wisconsin (Johnson Brothers)