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| yAppellationz |
Kikyogahara, Shiojiri-City,
Nagano-Prefecture |
| yVarietyz |
Merlot 100% |
| yAverage Age of Vinez |
21 years |
| yVine Densityz |
500 vines /ha |
| yAverage Yieldz |
12/ha |
| yTrellis Systemz |
cane pruning with Horizontal Govin pergola trellis system. |
| yHarvestz |
early October |
| yFermentationz |
14-16 days, 28-30 |
| yAgingz |
16 months in small barrels
( 100% new ) |
| yAlcohol Contentsz |
12.3% |
| yTotal Acidityz |
4.9g/L as tartaric acid |
| yResidual Sugarz |
less than 2.0g/L |
| yProductionz |
12,326 bottles |
yVintagez
Budbreak period of Nagano Merlot 2000 vintage started with sunny days and cool nights, which was a little unstable in cycles although it was almost an average year, followed by relatively warm temperatures in May, with low rainfall which led to favorable grape growth. The rainy season started in an average year, with average rainfall, and some grapes bloom in this season. We saw the grapes grow ordinarily up to this time. After the rainy season ended, however, a long spell of very hot weather began, which brought the grapes early maturation. This year was unusually hot, with eight days in May registering above 35C, the highest May temperatures in recorded history. July and August also had a total of 54 days in which temperatures soared above 35C. On the other hand, we had a lot of rain in the beginning of August due to regional rainfall patterns, which totaled twice as much as the mean monthly rainfall in August. This downpour was concentrated in a short period, however, so did not cause disease in the grapes. September brought warm weather, so we could harvest the healthy grapes for optimum wine quality. |
yTasting Commentsz
A beautiful ruby color with a little pink at the rim of the glass. An elegant, attractive aroma of roast, caramel, ripe cherry and blackberry, black pepper, cloves, and leather, with a little hint of minty freshness. This wine starts on a very soft feeling, with a mild acidity that is soon enlivened by a pleasant velvety roundness and a balanced flavor, with rich bouquets of blackberry jam and a spicy fragrance. This vibrant wine is the perfect accompaniment to a juicily roasted round of beef. (Comment on June 2004) |
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