Montrlot, Merlot, 2020 11% *on request*

Domaine Mont is a winery located at an altitude of around 50 m in Yoichi, Hokkaido. Atsuo Yamanaka, owner, studied with Takahiko Soga of Domaine Takahiko and learned winemaking for 2 years. He set up his own winery in spring 2016.

Facing east, as soon as sun rises, sun shines through his 1.5 ha vineyard, in a privileged environment where grapes are grown with good ventilation and drainage. Because temperature rarely exceeds 30 degrees during the day and drops below 20 degrees at night, photosynthesis is efficient and, as a result, moderate acidity tends to persist and sugar content to increase.

Accumulated temperature at Yoichi is similar to that in northern Burgundy and Alsace. This is why Mr. Yamanaka only grows 5,000 vines of Pinot Gris, one of the most successful varieties in Alsace. As far as possible, he avoids using pesticides and especially insecticides, as he respects insects as wild yeast carriers.

For the cuvée Montrelot 2020, our winemaker has the Merlot grape variety cultivated by two contract vineyards, Soma Farm and Aki Vineyard. This cuvée has a surprising orange-red color. Nose is open, frank and fruity, with incredible aromas of violet, rose, strawberry and cherry, giving it an almost oriental character.

Palate is supple, round, tannic, silky and elegant. This lovely, free-flowing wine goes well with red mullet, sauce vierge, grilled red meats, mushroom velouté, dried pork belly, eel dishes, grilled yakitori chicken, soy sauce-based sauces.