Merus
2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Centrum "
Rutherford AVA
Auction 28 | Lot No. 93
Vintage: 2022
Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a single-vineyard site in Rutherford
- Aging for 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels
- The fruit was optically sorted for highest quality berries
- Extended cold soak and maceration for optimal color, depth and concentration
Description
Our Merus Premiere Napa Valley wine is sourced from the historic Rutherford appellation, directly in the 'Centrum' of Napa Valley. Crafted by winemaker Michael Beaulac and consisting of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a dark, concentrated and powerful wine. This wine is aging for 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
Michael Beaulac
Winemaker, Merus
Merus and Foley Johnson winemaker, Michael Beaulac, a Vermont native, joined the Foley Family Wines team in 2021, bringing over 30 years of experience working with premier luxury wineries.
Michael began his winemaking career when a chance opportunity presented itself while he was running a Portland, Maine jazz dinner club. There, Beaulac’s career pivoted when Tim Murphy of Murphy-Goode offered him a job one night, partly in jest. The opportunity was one that Beaulac was looking for, and he accepted his offer and moved to Sonoma County, California to work as a Murphy-Goode Winery harvest intern in 1989.
Beaulac spent an interim period at Laurier Winery in Sonoma’s Carneros region working as a cellar master with Merry Edwards from 1989 through 1991. This opportunity gave way to becoming assistant winemaker back at Murphy-Goode, where he spent four years developing new varietal programs for Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. In 1997, Michael Beaulac spent four years as winemaker for Markham Vineyards in St. Helena. Beaulac took his expertise to the next level, becoming Vice President of St. Supéry Vineyards in Rutherford in 2001, working closely with Michel Roland and Denis Dubourdieu. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the Napa Valley, Beaulac became General Manager and winemaker at Napa’s Pine Ridge Vineyards in 2009 where he oversaw the estate’s 160 acres. Beaulac credits his development as a winemaker to working with Michel Roland and Pine Ridge’s high standard for producing quality wines.
Michael’s winemaking philosophy starts in the vineyard. Truly knowing the land, soil, and climate allows him to showcase the exceptionally pure qualities of the diverse vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley. He says of his philosophy for winemaking, “Be proactive in the vineyards. Let the fruit find its balance. Do not force the wine to be anything it’s not. Let it express its typicity. Once in the winery the wine should be touched as little as possible, in a perfect vintage, we really shouldn’t have to do anything.”
Beaulac currently resides outside of Santa Rosa. When he is not in the vineyards, he enjoys hikes with his wife Cathy and their German Shepherd. He also loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen with different recipes.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Velvet 48 Wine Bar
310 Lorton Avenue
Burlingame CA 94010
650-437-2944
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Velvet 48 Wine Bar:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corison, Gallica, Matthiasson | 2023 | Rosé | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Merus | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Centrum | 28 (2024) |
| Michael Mondavi Family Estate | 2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Michael Mondavi Family Estate | 2019 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) |
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)