Mariko Vineyard
Syrah
Nagano, Japan
Château Mercian – Mariko Vineyard Syrah 2013
Ueda City, Nagano – Japan 🇯🇵
Overview
From Château Mercian’s pioneering Mariko Vineyard, this Syrah is unlike any other. The 2013 vintage, now over a decade old, shows how Nagano’s cool climate shapes the grape with freshness and elegance rather than sheer power. (Educational note: Nagano’s elevation and wide day–night temperature swings preserve acidity, giving Japanese reds their distinctive lift.)
Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, plum, and dried cherry with accents of pepper, violet, and subtle herbs. Secondary notes of leather, soy, and earthy spice emerge with age, weaving seamlessly into the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with pronounced acidity — rare for Syrah — making it bright and affable even after a decade. Tannins are softened with age, leaving a silky texture and a long, savory finish.
Food Pairings
Perfect with Japanese-inspired pairings such as yakitori, teriyaki beef, or soy-glazed mushrooms. Also pairs beautifully with duck breast, roasted pork, or aged semi-hard cheeses.
Verdict
One of the most distinctive Syrahs out there: fresh, bright, and terroir-driven. Still harmonious after more than ten years — a wine that surprises and delights in equal measure. 🍷cheers
Did You Know?
Legend says “Mariko” takes its name from the Maruko region, once Prince Mariko’s territory in the 6th century. Today, the same land provides the ideal conditions for world-class viticulture.
Château Mercian – Mariko Vineyard Syrah 2013
Ueda City, Nagano – Japan 🇯🇵
Overview
From Château Mercian’s pioneering Mariko Vineyard, this Syrah is unlike any other. The 2013 vintage, now over a decade old, shows how Nagano’s cool climate shapes the grape with freshness and elegance rather than sheer power. (Educational note: Nagano’s elevation and wide day–night temperature swings preserve acidity, giving Japanese reds their distinctive lift.)
Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, plum, and dried cherry with accents of pepper, violet, and subtle herbs. Secondary notes of leather, soy, and earthy spice emerge with age, weaving seamlessly into the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with pronounced acidity — rare for Syrah — making it bright and affable even after a decade. Tannins are softened with age, leaving a silky texture and a long, savory finish.
Food Pairings
Perfect with Japanese-inspired pairings such as yakitori, teriyaki beef, or soy-glazed mushrooms. Also pairs beautifully with duck breast, roasted pork, or aged semi-hard cheeses.
Verdict
One of the most distinctive Syrahs out there: fresh, bright, and terroir-driven. Still harmonious after more than ten years — a wine that surprises and delights in equal measure. 🍷cheers
Did You Know?
Legend says “Mariko” takes its name from the Maruko region, once Prince Mariko’s territory in the 6th century. Today, the same land provides the ideal conditions for world-class viticulture.
One of the kind of Syrah from a prestigious Mariko Vineyards out of Nagano. Loved the herbeciousness and peppery notes, a bit complexity with pronounced black currants and leather.
Very low tanning and acidity. Elegant and consistent from beginning to end.
One of the kind of Syrah from a prestigious Mariko Vineyards out of Nagano. Loved the herbeciousness and peppery notes, a bit complexity with pronounced black currants and leather.
Very low tanning and acidity. Elegant and consistent from beginning to end.