About this wine
A 100% Merlot IGT Toscana produced by Antico Borgo di Sugame only in the estate's best vintages. Fermented for 10-12 days in steel vats using native yeasts, it undergoes malolactic fermentation and 12 months of aging in tonneaux (50% new, 50% used). Deep ruby in color, with an expressive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, and black currant, smooth tannins, and a long finish.
A rare, limited bottling for those curious about Tuscan Merlot outside the Sangiovese-dominant mainstream.
Sommelier's Note
"Produced only in the best vintages, this single-varietal Merlot shows a different, riper side of the estate — worth seeking out when available."
Food Pairings
Pairs well with roasted red meats, game, and aged cheeses. In a Japanese context, it complements sukiyaki or grilled eel (unagi kabayaki), where the fruit and tannin balance the dish's sweetness.
When to drink it
Intimate dinners, special occasions, gifting to wine enthusiasts.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥5,500-7,500 (reference estimate converted from the estate's cellar-door price of €25, comparable to the Riserva; confirmed Japan retail price not found)
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Merlot, produced only in the best vintages. Fermented 10-12 days in stainless steel with native yeasts; malolactic fermentation and 12 months aging in tonneaux (50% new, 50% used oak).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this wine made every year?
- No, it is produced only in the estate's best vintages.
- What does it taste like?
- It shows blackberry, raspberry, and black currant notes with smooth, refined tannins and a long finish.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Roasted red meats, game, and dishes like sukiyaki or grilled eel.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
キャンティ・クラッシコ・リゼルヴァ
Chianti Classico Riserva
RedSangiovese
The estate's Riserva bottling, made from organically farmed Sangiovese selected from the best parcels of the Sugame vineyards and aged longer than the base Chianti Classico per DOCG Riserva rules (minimum 24 months aging, at least 3 months in bottle). Notable vintages reviewed by critics include 2013, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2016, and 2017 (rated by Wine Enthusiast). Deep ruby in color, with a structured, tannic palate and a long finish that develops savory, earthy complexity with age.
キャンティ・クラッシコ
Chianti Classico
RedSangiovese
The estate's entry-level Chianti Classico DOCG, produced predominantly from organically farmed Sangiovese grown on the south-west-facing vineyards around Sugame at 500 meters altitude, occasionally complemented by a small amount of Merlot. Deep ruby red in the glass, it shows the fruity, characteristic nose of traditional Sangiovese with a tannic, well-structured palate and a long aromatic finish.
トスカーナ・ロッソ IGT
Toscana Rosso IGT
RedSangiovese
A young, well-structured IGT Toscana red from Antico Borgo di Sugame, produced as an approachable, everyday alternative to the estate's Chianti Classico bottlings. Ruby red in color with a fresh, fruit-driven character, it offers easy drinkability while still reflecting the estate's organic Sangiovese farming.
トスカーナ・ロザート IGT
Toscana Rosato IGT
RoséSangiovese
A 100% Sangiovese rosato from Antico Borgo di Sugame, produced from organically farmed grapes on the estate's Chianti Classico vineyards. Fresh and easy-drinking, it offers the bright red-fruit character of Sangiovese in a lighter, more approachable rosé style.