About Ilfinity Malbec
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Malbec
- Price Range
- ¥5,500-6,500
- tax incl.
Ilfinity Malbec is a single-varietal red wine from Il Fait Beau, Chikuma City's first winery in Nagano, made from 100% estate-grown Malbec — the grape championed by the Chikuma City Grape Research Association as the region's signature variety, and one founder Yoshiharu Ochiai has cultivated as an active member of that group. Aged in oak, it shows an intensely dark, almost jet-black hue with slow-moving legs, layered aromas of jammy dried fruit, licorice and spice intertwined with vanilla and dark chocolate from the barrel. On the palate it is dense and full-bodied, with firm acidity, rich yet soft tannins, and a long, complex finish — the most powerful and concentrated of Il Fait Beau's red cuvées. Unlike the Bordeaux-blend 'Lune'/'Lune Barrique' or the single-varietal 'Soleil Merlot,' Ilfinity Malbec is Il Fait Beau's first 100% Malbec bottling, spotlighting the grape that has become synonymous with Chikuma City winemaking.
The most powerful and complex red Il Fait Beau has produced yet — a serious, age-worthy expression of Chikuma City's rising signature grape.
New to wine?
A bold, full-bodied introduction to Japanese Malbec — richer and more structured than Il Fait Beau's other reds, best suited to those who already enjoy full-bodied wines.
Food Pairings
Its density and firm tannins call for rich, savory dishes — grilled or braised red meat, lamb chops, and hard aged cheeses. The dried-fruit and spice character also stands up well to Japanese dishes with concentrated umami, such as beef sukiyaki or unagi kabayaki.
When to drink it
Special dinners featuring red meat, gifts for wine enthusiasts, and moments to showcase Chikuma City's emerging signature grape.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from 100% estate-grown Malbec cultivated on Il Fait Beau's vineyards along the Chikuma River (elevation 400-800m), Malbec being the variety championed by the Chikuma City Grape Research Association as the region's signature grape. The wine is barrel-aged, yielding vanilla, spice, and dark-chocolate notes layered over concentrated dried-fruit and licorice aromas, with firm acidity and rich, soft tannins in a dense, full-bodied, dry style.
About the producer
Il Fait BeauChikuma City's first winery, 100% estate-grown terroir wines千曲市, 長野県 · Founded 2022Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Ilfinity Malbec made from?
- It is a single-varietal wine made from 100% estate-grown Malbec, the grape variety championed by the Chikuma City Grape Research Association as the region's signature grape.
- How does it differ from Il Fait Beau's other red wines?
- Unlike the Bordeaux-style blends Lune and Lune Barrique or the single-varietal Soleil Merlot, Ilfinity Malbec is Il Fait Beau's first 100% Malbec bottling, offering a denser, full-bodied style with pronounced dried-fruit, spice and oak notes.
- What food pairs well with Ilfinity Malbec?
- Its density and firm tannins pair beautifully with grilled or braised red meat, lamb, and aged hard cheeses, as well as umami-rich Japanese dishes like sukiyaki or grilled eel.
- What does Ilfinity Malbec taste like?
- It shows an intensely dark color with concentrated aromas of jammy dried fruit, licorice and spice, layered with vanilla and dark chocolate from oak aging, finishing with firm acidity, rich soft tannins and a long finish.
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