About CatWalk Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥4,800-5,000
- Alcohol
- 12.5
CatWalk Merlot is Kuju Winery's signature red bottling, named after the two resident winery cats that watch over fermentation from the factory window — the wine given the CatWalk name each year is the estate's proudest work. It is a blend of estate-grown and contract-grower Merlot from the 850m-elevation Kuju Highlands, fermented with a combination of wild and cultivated yeast and aged in oak barrels for about a year. The result is a restrained, elegant red marked by dark fruit and earthy aromas, mineral and spice nuances, a smoky complexity, and the bright, cool-climate acidity typical of Kuju's highland terroir. The 2022 vintage was awarded Silver at the Japan Wine Competition 2024, continuing a string of medals for the CatWalk series (whose sibling Chardonnay CatWalk has taken Gold and category-best honors).
Restraint is exactly what makes this wine feel luxurious — dark fruit and earth, spice and smoke, all held together by the bright, mineral acidity of Kuju's highland terroir.
New to wine?
One retailer summed it up as 'restraint that creates its own sense of luxury' — a great entry point for red-wine beginners who want elegance without heaviness.
Food Pairings
Merlot's soft tannins and dark-fruit sweetness pair naturally with tare-glazed yakitori, sukiyaki, and okonomiyaki, and its cocoa-like undertone makes it a good match for berry-filled dark chocolate.
When to drink it
The wine named for Kuju Winery's two resident cats each year — a fitting bottle for celebratory dinners, gifting, or marking a special milestone.
Terroir & Winemaking
Blend of Kuju estate-grown and contract-grower Merlot from the 850m-elevation Kuju Highlands (Oita Prefecture); fermented using a combination of wild and cultivated yeast, then barrel-aged for approximately 12 months. 720ml bottle, ABV 12.5%.
About the producer
Kuju WineryKyushu's highest-altitude estate winery, rising from tourist souvenir to Japan's top 4-star producer竹田市, 大分県 · Founded 2003Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it called CatWalk Merlot?
- CatWalk is the name Kuju Winery gives each year to its proudest bottling, in honor of the two resident winery cats that watch over fermentation from the factory window.
- What does CatWalk Merlot taste like?
- It shows dark fruit and earthy aromas with mineral, spice, and smoky nuances, balanced by the bright acidity typical of Kuju's cool, high-altitude vineyards.
- What food pairs well with CatWalk Merlot?
- It pairs well with tare-glazed yakitori, sukiyaki, and okonomiyaki, and its cocoa-like note also works with berry-filled dark chocolate.
- Has CatWalk Merlot won any awards?
- The 2022 vintage was awarded Silver at the Japan Wine Competition 2024, part of a strong medal record for the CatWalk series overall.
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