About Merlot KONTOKUYA Barrel Aged
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥6,050
- 750ml
- Alcohol
- 12%
Merlot KONTOKUYA Barrel Aged is a premium red from Kawachi Wine's flagship KONTOKUYA series, created to carry the family's original trade name — Kondoku-ya (金徳屋) — after more than 88 years of winemaking in Komagatani, Habikino City, Osaka. For the 2019 release, the winery selected what it judged the finest Merlot harvest of recent years, fermenting it in oak barrels and aging it further in barrel to build a refined, full-bodied character in harmony with the oak. Bottled at 750ml with 12% ABV and priced at ¥6,050, it sits above Kawachi Wine's everyday 'Kontoku Budoshu Merlot' (¥3,300, one year in oak, product page w17.html) and is a separate SKU (product page w27.html) from the winery's other premium reds — the 900-bottle-limited 'KIEI Private Reserve Merlot' (¥5,280, 18 months in old oak) and the 90th-anniversary 'Tokuichi Merlot 90th' (¥8,000-8,500) — each with its own price, vintage, and barrel treatment. It shares the KONTOKUYA series positioning with its white sibling, Chardonnay KONTOKUYA Barrel Aged.
The KONTOKUYA line is Kawachi Wine's tribute to its own founding name — this Merlot is the winery's most confidently oak-driven red, and a clear step above its standard-line namesake.
New to wine?
A step up from Kawachi Wine's everyday Merlot — full-bodied but balanced, an approachable way to try a premium Japanese oak-aged red.
Food Pairings
Its refined tannins and oak-derived richness pair naturally with grilled red meats such as roast beef, hamburger steak, and yakiniku, as well as umami-rich, soy-based dishes like sukiyaki and simmered beef tendon; the gentle oak nuance also complements semi-hard aged cheeses.
When to drink it
Special dinners, gifts for wine lovers, and pairing with red-meat or soy-based Japanese dishes.
Terroir & Winemaking
Made from Merlot grapes the winery judged its finest harvest of recent years (2019 vintage), fermented in oak barrels and then aged further in barrel. Bottled at 750ml with 12% ABV; sulfites added.
About the producer
Kawachi WineA 1934-founded Osaka winery rooted in the historic Kawachi grape tradition.羽曳野市, 大阪府 · Founded 1934Visit the producer page →More wines from Kawachi Wine
- -HAJIME- 86th Chardonnay Limited EditionWhite · Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon KONTOKUYA Barrel AgedRed · Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay KONTOKUYA Barrel AgedWhite · Chardonnay
- KIEI Delaware SparklingSparkling · Delaware
- KIEI KernerWhite · Kerner
- KIEI Komagatani DelawareWhite · Delaware
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does "KONTOKUYA" mean?
- KONTOKUYA (Kondoku-ya, 金徳屋) is Kawachi Wine's original family trade name; the series was created to honor more than 88 years of winemaking in Komagatani with a wine worthy of that name.
- How is Merlot KONTOKUYA Barrel Aged made?
- The winery selects what it judges the finest Merlot harvest of recent years, ferments it in oak barrels, then ages it further in barrel for a rounder, more elegant character.
- How does it differ from Kawachi Wine's other Merlot bottlings?
- It is a separate, higher-priced SKU (¥6,050) from the everyday "Kontoku Budoshu Merlot" (¥3,300), the limited "KIEI Private Reserve Merlot" (¥5,280), and the anniversary "Tokuichi Merlot 90th" (¥8,000-8,500) — each has its own vintage, aging regime, and price.
- What food pairs well with it?
- Its oak-derived richness and soft tannins suit grilled red meats and soy-based Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki, as well as semi-hard aged cheeses.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the Sommelier