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| yAppellationz |
Kikyogahara, Shiojiri-City,
Nagano-Prefecture |
| yVarietyz |
Merlot 100% |
| yTrellis Systemz |
overhead trellis |
| yAverage Age of Vinez |
21 years |
| yVine Densityz |
500 vines/ha |
| yAverage Yieldz |
12t/ha@@ |
| yHarvestz |
early October |
| yFermentationz |
16 days, 28-30 |
| yAgingz |
16 months in new barrel |
| yAlcohol Contentz |
13.0@ |
| yTotal Acidityz |
5.2g/L as tartaric acid@ |
| yResidual Sugarz |
less than 2.0g/L |
| yProductionz |
7,356 bottles |
yVintagez
Budbreak period of Kikyogahara 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 dense ruby color in the glass, still maintaining a pink color at the rim of
the glass. Although the bouquets have still not fully opened, intense aromas of
caramel, cassis, ink, tar, and smooth leather drift up to the nose, slowly developing
a pleasant complexity. Rich fruitiness enlivens the aromas across the palate,
and softly wraps the tannin. An excellent example of Merlot, having great complexity
and an elegant structure. Abundant maturity of fruit with a balanced firm oak
character produces an exceptional quality wine. An ideal partner with canard viande.(Comment
on June 2004) |
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