About Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥5,500
- 2020 vintage, 750ml, retail
A red from Tamba Wine's Kyoto Tamba series, built around Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown on the winery's own Kyoto Tamba estate. The exact blend shifts from vintage to vintage — some years are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon or 100% Merlot, others split the two varieties in varying proportions, and a handful of older vintages (2014-2017) added a small 8-17% portion of Tannat. Unlike Tamba Wine's separate Tannat cuvee, which is built around 85-91% Tannat, this wine is always led by Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot. Aged in oak barrels, it shows dark cherry color, red and black berry aromas, and tannins that range from light-medium to full depending on the vintage, styled to complement refined Kyoto cuisine.
Tamba's most classically Bordeaux-styled red — where the flagship Tannat cuvee lets the rare, tannic Tannat grape lead, this wine keeps Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot's structure and berry fruit front and center, vintage after vintage.
New to wine?
An approachable, classically Bordeaux-styled red — a friendly entry point into Tamba Wine's Kyoto Tamba red lineup.
Food Pairings
The red and black berry fruit and moderate tannins pair naturally with grilled or simmered meat dishes — think roast beef, Kyoto-style simmered beef, or teriyaki chicken — as well as aged hard cheeses.
When to drink it
Everyday dinner with grilled or simmered meat dishes, casual gatherings with friends
Terroir & Winemaking
Blend ratio varies by vintage: examples include 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (2021, 2023), Cabernet Sauvignon 75% / Merlot 25% (2020), 100% Merlot (2018), and Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot with a minor 8-17% Tannat addition in the 2014-2017 vintages. Recorded ABV has ranged from roughly 11.2% to 13.1% depending on the vintage. Aged in oak barrels before bottling; production volumes are small (a few hundred to a few thousand bottles per vintage).
About the producer
Tamba WineKyoto's pioneering winery built for Japanese cuisine京丹波町, 京都府 · Founded 1979Visit the producer page →More wines from Tamba Wine
- Hokkaido Sobetsu ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- Hokkaido Sobetsu Pinot BlancWhite · Pinot Blanc
- Kyoto Tamba ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- Kyoto Tamba TannatRed · Tannat · Merlot · Cabernet Sauvignon
- Kyoto Tamba TegumiSparkling · Pinot Blanc · Chardonnay · Chenin Blanc
- Kyoto Tamba TraditionalSparkling · Pinot Noir · Pinot Gris · Riesling · Trebbiano
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot contain Tannat?
- In most vintages, no — recent bottlings (2018-2023) are pure Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot. Only a handful of older vintages (2014-2017) included a small 8-17% portion of Tannat, so it should not be confused with Tamba Wine's separate Tannat cuvee.
- How does this wine differ from Tamba Wine's Tannat cuvee?
- Tamba Wine's Tannat cuvee is Tannat-led (roughly 85-91%) with only a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. This wine is led by Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot, with only a minor Tannat addition in a few older vintages. The two are distinct, separately labeled wines in Tamba's Kyoto Tamba series.
- Does the blend ratio change every year?
- Yes. Depending on the vintage it can be 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Merlot, or the two varieties blended in varying proportions — check the specific vintage's label for the exact composition.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Its berry fruit and moderate tannins make it a natural match for grilled or simmered meat dishes, including Kyoto-style simmered beef and teriyaki chicken.
Want to know more about this wine?
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