About Merlot A3
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥3,700-4,700
Merlot A3 is SAYS FARM's flagship still red, made from 100% Merlot grown in the estate's A3 parcel in Himi, Toyama — a block with shallow topsoil over diatomaceous mudstone that rose from the ancient seabed. The vines' roots push into this marine-derived rock, yielding small, concentrated berries. Destemmed and fully crushed, the must is fermented on skins in tank before the wine is aged entirely in French oak for six months. The result is a deep, purplish-ruby red with pronounced tannin and concentrated polyphenols — a structured, age-worthy expression that stands as the winery's signature red.
SAYS FARM's most serious red — the A3 parcel's marine-derived mudstone gives this Merlot a concentration and tannic backbone rarely found in Japanese Merlot.
New to wine?
A serious, structured red — best suited to those who already enjoy tannic, food-friendly wines rather than a first red.
Food Pairings
A structured red built for grilled and roasted meats — lamb chops, beef steak, or duck breast. Its firm tannin also stands up to aged hard cheeses and mushroom-based dishes.
When to drink it
Dinner with grilled or roasted meats, a special-occasion bottle for Japanese red wine enthusiasts.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Merlot from the A3 parcel (shallow topsoil over diatomaceous mudstone). Destemmed and fully crushed, fermented on skins in tank, then aged entirely in French oak barrels for approximately 6 months before bottling.
About the producer
SAYS FARMEstate wines from a Himi hilltop overlooking Toyama Bay氷見市, 富山県 · Founded 2007Visit the producer page →More wines from SAYS FARM
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- AWA RoséSparkling · Merlot · Cabernet Sauvignon
- SAYS FARM ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- SAYS FARM Chardonnay-Albariño Jūnichō VineyardWhite · Chardonnay · Albariño
- SAYS FARM Ojiko ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- SAYS FARM Private Reserve ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does SAYS FARM's Merlot A3 taste like?
- A deep, purplish-ruby red with firm, well-defined tannins and concentrated dark-fruit character, shaped by six months of aging in French oak.
- Is Merlot A3 a blend or a single varietal?
- It is 100% Merlot, sourced entirely from the estate's A3 parcel in Himi, Toyama.
- What food pairs well with Merlot A3?
- Its firm tannin pairs well with grilled or roasted red meat and duck, and it also matches richly seasoned Japanese dishes like beef teriyaki or sukiyaki.
- What makes the A3 parcel special?
- A3 has shallow topsoil over a diatomaceous mudstone layer that rose from the ancient seabed, forcing vine roots deep into marine-derived rock and concentrating the fruit.
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