About Assemblage Rouge Réserve Privée
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot, Zweigelt
- Price Range
- ¥3,520
- Alcohol
- 12.5%
Réserve Privée is the top-tier expression of Tainai Kogen Winery's Merlot–Zweigelt blend, made only in select vintages from hand-selected, free-run juice (jus de goutte) of estate-grown grapes on Tainai's steep, wind-swept slopes. Unlike the standard Assemblage Rouge, this cuvée is aged roughly nine months in French oak barrels and bottled under a wax-sealed cork in a dedicated gift box, giving it a rounder, more polished structure. The blend ratio of Merlot to Zweigelt shifts by vintage — recent releases lean Merlot-dominant (roughly 63-65% Merlot to 35-37% Zweigelt), a reversal from the Zweigelt-heavy 2019 vintage (about 80% Zweigelt to 20% Merlot) — but the wine consistently shows wild strawberry and blueberry aromas, a smooth, velvety palate, and a rich, lingering finish. The 2019 vintage won bronze at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.
This is the Assemblage Rouge dressed up for a special occasion — the same friendly Merlot-Zweigelt partnership, but with free-run juice and oak aging giving it noticeably more polish and depth than the standard bottling.
New to wine?
A step up from the standard Assemblage Rouge — same friendly blend, but rounder, richer, and dressed for a special occasion.
Food Pairings
The riper, rounder tannins pair well with richer dishes than the standard Assemblage Rouge — think roasted lamb, duck confit, or aged Gouda. In Japanese cuisine, it complements sukiyaki, unagi kabayaki, and simmered pork belly (buta no kakuni).
When to drink it
Gift-giving, celebrations, and pairing with richer meat dishes.
Terroir & Winemaking
Estate-grown Merlot and Zweigelt from Tainai's steep, southwest-facing slopes (approx. 250m elevation) at the foot of the Iide mountain range. Made only from free-run juice; fermented in stainless steel, then aged approximately 9 months in French oak barrels. Bottled with a wax-sealed cork. ABV 12.5%.
About the producer
Tainai Kogen WineryMunicipal winery expressing Niigata's mountain terroir胎内市, 新潟県 · Founded 2007Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- How is Réserve Privée different from the standard Assemblage Rouge?
- Both blend Merlot and Zweigelt from Tainai Kogen Winery's estate vineyards, but Réserve Privée is made only in select vintages using hand-selected, free-run juice and aged about 9 months in French oak, then bottled under a wax-sealed cork. It has a rounder, richer structure and a higher price point than the standard Assemblage Rouge.
- What is the blend ratio of Merlot to Zweigelt?
- It varies by vintage. Recent releases are Merlot-dominant, around 63-65% Merlot to 35-37% Zweigelt, while the 2019 vintage was reversed, at roughly 80% Zweigelt to 20% Merlot.
- What does Assemblage Rouge Réserve Privée taste like?
- Aromas of wild strawberry and blueberry lead into a smooth, velvety palate with soft, oak-derived tannins, gentle acidity, and a rich, lingering finish — rounder and more concentrated than the standard Assemblage Rouge.
- Has this wine won any awards?
- The 2019 vintage of Assemblage Rouge Réserve Privée won a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.
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