About Jyonohira Ortus
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Price Range
- ¥15,000-17,000
Jyonohira Ortus is the icon-tier Bordeaux-style red from Chateau Mercian's own Jyonohira Vineyard in the Katsunuma district of Koshu, Yamanashi. Planted with vertical shoot positioning in 1984 at 550-600m elevation on clay soil, the vineyard is considered the origin of Mercian's modern viticulture, which is exactly what the Latin name 'Ortus' ('origin') refers to. A finely balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, it shows a garnet color with cassis and black cherry fruit layered with cedar, tobacco, and forest-floor notes from bottle age, plus vanilla and chocolate nuances from French oak aging. Vivid acidity and smooth, elegant tannins give it a long, refined finish, making it one of the benchmark Bordeaux-style reds of Japan.
One of the defining benchmarks for Japanese Bordeaux-style blends — a must-try for any serious collector of Japanese wine.
New to wine?
A flagship Japanese Bordeaux-style red — decant an hour before serving to let its layered aromas fully open up.
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with roasted venison, grilled beef fillet with mushroom sauce, and premium wagyu steak. Its structured tannins also stand up well to rich, umami-driven Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki and simmered beef.
When to drink it
Ideal for milestone celebrations, formal dinners, or as a prestigious gift for wine collectors.
Terroir & Winemaking
Grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's Jyonohira Vineyard (550-600m elevation, clay soil, vertical shoot positioning since 1984). Fermented in small tanks with extended maceration, then aged in French oak barrels for roughly 18-24 months depending on vintage before bottling.
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 Cabernet SauvignonRed · Cabernet Sauvignon
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Jyonohira Ortus taste like?
- It shows concentrated cassis and black cherry fruit with cedar, tobacco, and forest-floor notes from bottle age, plus vanilla and chocolate from oak aging, framed by smooth, elegant tannins and a long finish.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Roasted venison, beef fillet with mushroom sauce, and premium wagyu steak, as well as umami-rich Japanese dishes like sukiyaki.
- Why is it called 'Ortus'?
- 'Ortus' means 'origin' in Latin, referring to the Jyonohira Vineyard's role as the birthplace of Chateau Mercian's modern vertical-shoot-positioning viticulture, which began there in 1984.
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