About Hokushin Cabernet Sauvignon
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Price Range
- ¥6,000-8,000
- Alcohol
- 12.5%
Hokushin Cabernet Sauvignon is Château Mercian's terroir-driven red wine from the Hokushin district in northern Nagano Prefecture, where the producer began VSP trellis cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000. The area's sandy, gravelly soil offers excellent drainage, and its low rainfall combined with a wide diurnal temperature swing allows for slow, even ripening. The wine shows a deep garnet color with aromas of ripe blackberry and cassis layered with red fruit nuances of raspberry, and notes of chocolate and vanilla from oak aging. On the palate it is well balanced, with ample acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins, vinified and aged for around 18 months in oak barrels at Château Mercian's Katsunuma Winery in Yamanashi.
A benchmark example of how Hokushin's cool, dry, well-drained terroir can give Japanese Cabernet Sauvignon real structure — firm tannins and bright acidity that reward pairing with rich, grilled fare.
New to wine?
A structured, food-friendly introduction to Japanese Cabernet Sauvignon — firm but approachable tannins backed by ripe dark-fruit character.
Food Pairings
Its firm tannins and dark berry concentration pair beautifully with roast duck, grilled red meats, and hamburger steak in demi-glace sauce. In Japanese cuisine, it matches well with yakitori glazed in a liver-based tare sauce and other richly seasoned grilled dishes.
When to drink it
Well suited to dinners centered on grilled or roasted meat, and as a gift for fans of Japanese red wine.
Terroir & Winemaking
Cabernet Sauvignon grown on VSP trellises in Hokushin's well-drained sandy-gravel soil since 2000, benefiting from low rainfall and large diurnal temperature swings. Vinified and aged approximately 18 months in oak barrels at Château Mercian's Katsunuma Winery in Yamanashi Prefecture.
About the producer
Chateau MercianThe pioneer of Japanese fine wine, crafting terroir-driven masterpieces.甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1877Visit the producer page →More wines from Chateau Mercian
- Château Mercian Koshu KiirokaWhite · Koshu
- Château Mercian Mariko Winery ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- Château Mercian Mariko Winery MerlotRed · Merlot
- Château Mercian Mariko Winery Sauvignon BlancWhite · Sauvignon Blanc
- Château Mercian Mariko Winery SyrahRed · Syrah
- Hokushin ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Hokushin Cabernet Sauvignon taste like?
- It shows a deep garnet color with aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis, and raspberry, layered with chocolate and vanilla notes from oak aging, backed by ample acidity and firm, fine tannins.
- Where are the grapes grown?
- The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on VSP trellises in the Hokushin district of northern Nagano Prefecture, where Château Mercian has cultivated the variety since 2000 on well-drained, sandy-gravel soil.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- It pairs well with roast duck, grilled red meats, hamburger steak in demi-glace sauce, and richly glazed yakitori.
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