Prince Matei Merlot Rezerva 2017

Prince Matei Merlot Rezerva 2017 is a dry, full-bodied Romanian red made from 100% Merlot grown on vines over 40 years old in the grand cru vineyards of Dealu Mare, then aged 12 months in new French oak. James Suckling rated it 93 points. A wine at this level for under ¥10,000 is a rare bargain, and it makes a superb anniversary bottle or gift.

• Country of origin: Romania
• Producer: DeMatei
• Type: red / dry
• Grape variety: Merlot 100%
• Classification: DOC–CMD Dealu Mare / old vines / grand cru vineyard
• Readiness for drinking: 2025~2032
• Alcohol by volume: 14.82%
• Residual sugar: 0.69 g/l
• Acidity: 5.51 g/l
• Body: full
• Bottle volume: 750 ml
• Closure: natural cork
• Price range: 5,000~9,999 Yen
• Limited production: 3,000 bottles
• Bar code: 5941982062585

The Maker

The DeMatei winery owns 80 hectares of old vines around the legendary Teganeanu and Zorilor hills. The vineyard here is one of the most expressive in Romania, offering tremendous potential for high-quality wine production.

The wines produced here have stood the test of time, showcasing remarkable aging potential.

The land, the climate, and the people have created a unique harmony over generations, resulting in exceptional wines.

Prince Matei: A Romanian Super-Brand

Emerging in the late 1990s, the Prince Matei brand has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Romania’s wine industry after decades of communist rule. A true pioneer, it has grown into a symbol of excellence, renowned for its remarkable quality and deep-rooted heritage.

Described as a "terroir wine," Prince Matei reflects the intimate bond with the environment. Benefiting from the ideal climate and the well-balanced soil of Dealul Zorilor and Teganeanu, rich in gravel, clay, and limestone, these vineyards thrive under optimal natural conditions.

With over 40 years of age, the vine roots stretch far into the earth, absorbing minerals that enhance the grapes’ complexity and character. While the yield is naturally lower, the wines crafted from these mature vines are a harmonious symphony of concentrated aromas, layered flavors, and exceptional richness.

More than just a brand, Prince Matei is a testament to Romanian craftsmanship, tradition, and the unparalleled potential of its terroir.

Why is a 93-point James Suckling wine selling for under ¥10,000?

James Suckling, former senior editor of Wine Spectator and one of the most influential critics in the world, tasted this wine in 2024 and gave it 93 points. His note praises "a mature nose of red berries and savory complexity", a "well-defined structure, perfect balance between tannins and acidity, and a long, velvety finish".

A 93-point red from Bordeaux or Napa usually costs well over ¥20,000 in Japan. Romanian wine is still flying under the radar here, which is the only reason this bottle sells for ¥8,800 including tax. In terms of quality for the price, it is one of the strongest wines we carry, and we say that with some pride and some disbelief.

On Vivino, the 2017 vintage averages 4.2 out of 5 and sits in the top 2% of all wines worldwide.

Accolades

• James Suckling: 93 points
• Decanter World Wine Awards: Silver (2020)🥈
• Vinarium: Gold (2021)🥇
• Wine Lovers Awards: Silver (2022)🥈
• Gilbert & Gaillard: Gold (2022, 2023)🥇
• Selections Mondiales des vins Canada: Gold (2023)🥇

Tasting Notes

Appearance

Deep ruby with a thin garnet rim, the kind of colour that tells you the wine has had nine years to settle into itself.

Nose

An exceptionally rich and complex nose unfolds gradually, revealing primary notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, sour cherry, and blueberry, complemented by secondary aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, clove, chocolate, and coffee. Tertiary notes developed through bottle aging (dried plums, tanned leather, and earth) enhance the wine's complexity and elegance.

Palate

Take a sip and the ripe black fruit and dark chocolate arrive all at once, dense and concentrated. There is plenty of tannin, but three years in bottle have polished it to something close to velvet, and a clean line of acidity keeps the whole thing fresh despite the full body. The finish goes on for a long time. It drinks beautifully now and will keep rewarding you for another five to ten years in the cellar.

Food Pairing

Open it for proper meat: beef teppanyaki or a steak, oven-roasted lamb, grilled pork chops with a sweet chili glaze. It also takes well to sweet-savory Japanese dishes like sukiyaki or grilled eel. Finish the bottle with aged hard cheese or a bitter dark chocolate dessert.

Service

Serving temperature: 16~18°C.

Decant about 30 minutes before serving to soften the tannins and open up the aromas.

Vineyard

• Ingredients: grapes
• Region: Muntenia
• Wine region: Hills of Muntenia and Oltenia 
• Podgorie: Dealu Mare
• Village: Zorești
• Vineyard: Dealu Tegăneanu and Dealu Zorilor
• Vineyard age: over 40 years
• Soil: The soil on which the vineyard plots are located is a reddish-brown clay loam (argiluvisol), ranging from moderately to heavily eroded. Its texture is defined by a clay content of 19~25%, offering excellent water retention and aeration for the root mass. Traces of calcium carbonate are also present, with active lime content below 1% at a depth of 0~60 cm. These characteristics provide optimal conditions for producing high-quality wines.
• Altitude: 180~200 m
• Latitude: 45°N
• Aspect: S-E
• Annual rainfall: 500~550 mm
• Average annual temperature: 11.6°C
• Average summer temperature: 23.8°C
• Average winter temperature: 0.5°C
• Yield: 3.0 t/Ha
• Harvesting method: manual
• Vineyard owner: DeMatei
• Vineyard manager: Mr. Marius NAE
• Vineyard consultant: Paul FULEA

Winemaking

• Production place: DeMatei
• Fermentation vessel: temperature-controlled stainless steel tank
• Fermentation period: 14 days
• Fermentation temperature: 28°C
• Malolactic conversion vessel: stainless steel tank
• Malolactic conversion period: 14 days
• Maturing: French oak barrels for 12 months
• Aging: at least 36 months, prior to release
• Winemaker: Cătălin NAE
• Bottling place: DeMatei
• Bottling date: Listed on the bottle

Other wines to try alongside Prince Matei

From the same DeMatei vineyards, Matei Rezerva 2019 (94 Suckling points) is the estate's flagship cuvée. If you want old-vine Merlot at a more everyday price, try Patima dupa Matei Merlot 2019. Browse the full DeMatei range or our selection of Romanian great wines.

Size & weight

• Bottle size: 301 mm x 79 mm
• Bottle weight: 1,350 g
  
• Bottles per case: 6
• Case size: 160 mm x 305 mm x 240 mm
• Case weight: 8,200 g

Import Information

• Importer: Daniel's Wine Club
• Import method: Maritime import
• Import route: DeMatei ⇨ Daniel's Wine Club
• Quality control method: Temperature-controlled containers

Storage Information

• Seller: Daniel's Wine Club
• Storage place: Daniel's Wine Club Yokohama
• Storage temperature: 16~18°C

Gifts, wrapping, noshi

You can find gift boxes, along with packaging and noshi (traditional Japanese ceremonial wrapping) options, on the "Accessories and Gifts" page.

If you’d like to add a personal touch to your gift, we can also include a card or message in the package. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance. We will do our best to ensure your gift arrives in perfect condition.