Merus began as a true garage wine. Founders Erika Gottl and Mark Herold made the first vintage, 1998, in a garage, and Robert Parker called it one of the finest wines of the vintage, launching Merus into Napa's cult Cabernet circle. The name comes from Latin and reflects the idea of wine that is pure and undiluted. Bill Foley bought the brand in 2007, and Merus is now part of Foley Family Wines, with Michael Beaulac named winemaker in 2022. The wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon built on fruit from the cool Coombsville AVA in southeastern Napa Valley, including the Shadybrook and Mt. George vineyards. Production follows a high-effort approach of severe pruning, cluster sorting, small-lot fermentation and aging in 100 percent new French oak, and the wine has earned four 96-point scores. Merus is not open to the public, with visits by invitation and appointment only, so most bottles are sold through its list.