Merus
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 25 | Lot No. 75
Vintage: 2019
Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot from the Coombsville nested appellation
- Aging slowly for 28 months in 100% new French oak barrels
- Hand-harvested, hand-sorted, meticulously watched over during élevage for the finest quality
- Small-lot fermentations and careful barrel selections create a wine that is both complex and elegant
Description
Sourced from a Certified Sustainable single-vineyard site in the Coombsville nested appellation, the 2019 Merus Premiere Napa Valley lot is comprised of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. The cooler climate appellation allows for a long, slow ripening period and creates wines of excellent structure and complexity. It is aging slowly and meticulously watched over for 28 months in 100% new French oak and offers flavors of saturated black fruits, vanilla bean and graphite with a complex minerality and velvety tannins.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
Eric Baugher
Winemaker, Merus
Merus Winemaker Eric Baugher was born and raised along the coast in Santa Cruz, California. Growing up, local wine from the Santa Cruz Mountains was a staple in his household and he recalls being fascinated with fermentation from a young age. Once of legal drinking age, he began collecting wine. “I was fascinated with what wine represented, it’s like a time capsule of events in that vintage of a bottle,” he said.
Eric attended UC Santa Cruz where he graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. After graduation and while researching graduate schools, an opportunity as a chemist at Ridge Vineyards presented itself. Though only intended to be a one year
position, Eric fell in love with the winemaking process and found a passion that would become his career.
From chemist, he worked his way up to Assistant Winemaker, then in 2004 became appointed Head Winemaker, then became Chief Operating Officer in 2016. During his long term post at Ridge Vineyards, he achieved two 100-point scores for the winery’s cabernet and Bordeaux blends in 2013 and 2017, along with two wines earning
a place on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines list.
Joining Merus Winery in 2021 gives Eric the opportunity to pursue a dream of working with top quality Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. “There is so much depth of flavor, texture and richness that can come from the Cabernet grape, it is my favorite varietal to work with.” Eric looks forward to building upon Merus’ history of high acclaim, utilizing his Bordeaux winemaking experience to create world class Cabernet Sauvignon.
Eric resides mostly in St Helena and has a home in his hometown of Aptos. When he is not in the winery, you might find him on the hiking trails around wine country, or swimming and running on the beaches of Aptos. He enjoys spending time with his wife Mary, their two children Beau and Sofia, and three dogs Chevy, Max, and Bolt.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Classic Wine
2915 Riverglen Drive
Fort Worth TX 76109
214-455-6922
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Classic Wine:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashes & Diamonds | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | 28 (2024) | |
| Fisher Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Lamb Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Gemstone | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | A Rare and Remarkable Gem | 28 (2024) |
| La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 28 (2024) | |
| Palmaz Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tortuga | 28 (2024) |
| Sequoia Grove Winery | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 (2024) | |
| Tamber Bey | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 28 (2024) | |
| TEXTBOOK | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Oakville 5ive | 28 (2024) |
| ELLMAN | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | ELLMAN |Back to School Proprietary Red Blend | 27 (2023) |
| Mayacamas Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Mount Veeder | Estate | 27 (2023) |
| TEXTBOOK | 2021 | Red Wine | Oakville | 5ive Proprietary Red Blend | 27 (2023) |
| Trois Noix | 2021 | Chardonnay | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Muir Hanna Old Vine Selection | 26 (2022) |
| Merus | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 25 (2021) |
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)