MEYER, MEYER ON THE WALL, WHO'S THE MERUS OF THEM ALL?

I got a sneak peak taste yesterday of the new 2004 Meyer Vineyard Cabernet, from Hestan Vineyards. Though the winery is relatively new (10 years old) by Napa standards, the owners spared no expense and brought in Mark Herold of Merus fame as winemaker. This explains why as soon as I tasted this wine I immediately thought “cult wine” profile. While I’ll be the last to praise a wine because of its cult status or profile made to impress critics rather than on its own merits, sometimes a wine just really is undeniably delicious, regardless of its “cult handicap.” So the good news here is this Meyer Cab has not reached cult status yet, costs $100 less than Herold’s other wines (particularly his 96 point Merus,) AND will send anyone to their happiest place for the duration of the bottle. I loved it’s plushy texture, dusty satiny tannins, cocoa powder, espresso, dark berries, tobacco, and cedar on the palate, and finally its seemingly interminable finish.
WI Taste: 94 points
WI Value: 92 points