Azumino Winery / Chateau Azumino Merlot 2019 (Red) 750ml

Using 100% Merlot grown in our own vineyard at an altitude of 700m in Azumino, it was aged in barrels for 13 months. Compared to Cabernet, Merlot has an overall softer taste. The Merlot born and raised in Azumino has a gorgeous aroma and fruitiness, yet it has been crafted into an elegant and profound dry wine.

The color is a deep ruby. You can feel the round, juicy fruitiness and gentle astringency from the Merlot alone, and when swallowed, the concentrated fruitiness rich in extract, acidity, astringency, and the gently sweet taste of the barrel spread like prune jam. The sweet aroma from the oak barrel and the concentrated scent like prune jam are pleasant. It is a full-bodied red wine with a long finish.

With moderate astringency and acidity, this is a powerful wine that is good to drink now or after aging for 5 to 6 years. If you plan to drink it immediately, open the bottle about an hour before drinking or decant it to expose it to air and let the aroma open up. You can fully enjoy the flavor of the wine. It pairs well with beef stew and hearty beef dishes.