About this wine
Solaris Higashiyama Merlot is one of Mann's Wines' flagship red cuvées, made entirely from Merlot grown in the winery's self-managed single vineyard in the Higashiyama district of Ueda City, Nagano. Merlot was planted here in 2008 to explore the variety's potential in an area already celebrated for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard sits at roughly 550 meters on a south-facing gentle slope, on soil formed from ancient marine sediment uplifted millions of years ago when the area was still seabed. Strict yield control, hand-harvesting, and careful berry selection precede fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by about 20 months of oak barrel aging; only the barrels judged worthy of the top cuvée are bottled. The wine has earned recognition including a Gold medal at the Vinalies Internationales for its 2018 vintage and a Silver medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.
A world-class expression of Japanese Merlot that balances rich fruit with elegance — a must-try to see how far Japanese red wine has come.
Sommelier's Note
"One of the finest single-vineyard Merlots in Japan — its depth, precision, and aging potential place it alongside respected international benchmarks."
Food Pairings
Its ripe fruit and fine, dense tannins pair beautifully with roasted red meats, game dishes, and hard aged cheeses. The refined structure also stands up well to rich Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki or unagi kabayaki glazed in a soy-based sauce.
When to drink it
Ideal for special celebrations, formal dinners, and as a refined gift for wine lovers who appreciate terroir-driven, single-vineyard craftsmanship.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14%
- Price Range
- ¥10,000-12,000
Terroir & Winemaking
Single vineyard: Higashiyama district, Ueda City, Nagano (Mann's Wines self-managed vineyard, Merlot planted 2008). Elevation approx. 550m, south-facing gentle slope. Soil: ancient uplifted marine sediment. Vinification: strict yield control, hand harvest and berry selection, fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aged approx. 20 months in oak barrels; only select barrels bottled. ABV 14%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Solaris Higashiyama Merlot taste like?
- It shows a bright garnet color with aromas of raspberry, red cherry, and cassis layered with cinnamon, nutmeg, and herbal notes. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with dense, fine-grained tannins and a long, elegant finish.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Roasted red meats, game dishes, and hard aged cheeses are classic pairings. It also pairs surprisingly well with rich, soy-based Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki or grilled eel (unagi kabayaki).
- Where do the grapes come from?
- All grapes come from a single, self-managed vineyard in the Higashiyama district of Ueda City, Nagano, planted with Merlot in 2008 at roughly 550m elevation on a south-facing slope with ancient uplifted marine soil.
- Is this wine good for aging?
- Yes. Thanks to its dense tannin structure, it can be enjoyed on release but also has the potential to age gracefully for a decade or more.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
ソラリス ル・シエル
Solaris Le Ciel
WhiteShinano Riesling · Chardonnay · Sauvignon Blanc
Solaris Le Ciel is the flagship white cuvée of Mann's Wines' premium Solaris line, produced at the Komoro Winery in Nagano. Grown on a single, self-managed south-facing slope adjacent to the winery at roughly 670-680 meters elevation, the vineyard is named after 'Tenjin,' the local place name for the plot — hence 'Le Ciel,' French for 'sky' or 'heaven.' Unlike a typical blend, Le Ciel is made through field-blend co-fermentation: Shinano Riesling (Mann's own proprietary cross), Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are harvested on the same day, judged by the ripeness balance across the plot rather than variety by variety, then pressed and fermented together. This approach — deeper than assemblage — aims to capture the terroir of the Komoro plot as a single expression rather than a sum of varietal parts. The wine shows a bright, greenish-yellow color with aromas of ripe pear, apricot, white flowers and fresh herbs, a fruit-forward and slightly oily texture balanced by crisp acidity and a faint salinity, finishing with a herbal, dewy freshness.
ソラリス 千曲川メルロー ビオロジック
Solaris Chikuma River Merlot Biologique
RedMerlot
Solaris Chikuma River Merlot Biologique is an ultra-limited organic red cuvée from Mann's Wines' Komoro Winery, made entirely from Merlot grown in the "Beppu" single vineyard just east of the winery in Komoro City, Nagano — within the Chikuma River Wine Valley. The vineyard sits at roughly 650m elevation on a gentle south-facing slope with volcanic-ash clay soil, and has been certified organic (from cultivation through vinification) by JONA, Japan's organic certification body, since the winery began organic viticulture trials in 2010. Only a few hundred bottles are produced each vintage, fermented on skins for three to four weeks and aged 14 months in 100% French oak (medium toast), yielding a wine of pure fruit expression, refined tannins, and a distinctly mineral, terroir-driven character that sets it apart from Mann's conventionally farmed Solaris Merlot bottlings.
ソラリス 千曲川 信濃リースリング
Solaris Chikumagawa Shinano Riesling
WhiteShinano Riesling
Solaris Chikumagawa Shinano Riesling is Mann's Wines' dry white wine crafted from Shinano Riesling — a proprietary grape variety the winery bred by crossing Riesling (father) and Chardonnay (mother), officially registered in 1991. Grown for over 30 years in the Omori district around Komoro, Nagano, the vines benefit from the cool, high-altitude climate of the Chikuma River valley. To capture the grape's aromatic potential, the must undergoes overnight skin contact before fermentation, followed by quiet aging sur lie for added body and texture. The wine shows a bright lemon-yellow color with an expressive nose of pear, apricot, yellow flowers and honey; the palate opens with ripe fruit and closes on a crisp, lively acidity echoing Riesling's varietal signature.