From our home in Danville, Merus is an easy 1 hour and 15 minute drive. The name Merus is a Latin word which means "undiluted." Their secondary label Altvs translates to "noble or profound."
Our host today was Nicole Stefko. She is a passionate and knowledgeable "wino" who is proud to be part of Merus.
The tasting took place in a rustic and comfortable tasting room surrounded by trees and a stream running thru the property. The soft rain made for a great tasting experience as the calm soothing setting made you feel you were at a very special place.
Merus is part of the impressive family of 19 Foley wineries owned by wine lover and famed businessman Bill Foley. The grapes are sourced from nearby Coombsville and crafted into highly rated wines by winemaker David Lattin. They are also only found at famous restaurants like Thomas Kellers French Laundry.
Our tasting began with the 2014 Altvs Chardonnay which was refreshing and impressive. This white wine was very good and can be purchased for 40 dollars. We took one bottle with us to enjoy with our lunch.
Altvs 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was the next wine we tasted. It was a blend of 88 percent Cabernet and small amounts of Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec grapes. It is a full bodied wine that was rated 90 plus by Robert Parker and retails for $75.00.
The star of the tasting was the 2013 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon rated 92 by Parker. It is a rich full bodied wine with a blend of 90 percent cabernet, and a perfect balance of merlot and petite verdot. It retails for $160.00 and a great addition for a special occasion dinner or celebration. One bottle of this great juice made it back to Danville with us.
After our tasting, Nicole recommended the nearby downtown restaurant Goose and Gander for lunch. We were not disappointed. A warm fire and heavenly smell of rich recipes greeted you when you entered this charming little house complete with an extensive list of expensive bourbons and wines. We enjoyed the special cauliflower appetizer, famous mushroom soup and G and G burger that lived up to its lofty reputation. We also enjoyed the 2014 Altvs Chardonnay.
We would highly recommend the Merus tasting and this enchanting restaurant. Both are very special wine and food experiences.
For further information and to make a tasting appointment go to:
>
> https://m.meruswines.com/
