- Country of origin: Romania
- Producer: DeMatei
- Type: red / dry
- Grape variety: Merlot 100%
- Classification: D.O.C. – C.M.D. Dealu Mare / old vines
- Readiness for drinking: 2025~2032
- 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.
James Suckling Awards This Wine 93 Points!
World-renowned wine critic and former Wine Spectator editor, James Suckling, has given this wine an outstanding score of 93 points.
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
A striking deep garnet-red.
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
This is a dry, full-bodied wine with high alcohol content, offering a robust structure supported by balanced acidity and firm tannins. Flavors of ripe fruits and dark chocolate dominate, providing a gratifying experience. Its intense character and long finish suggest further refinement with additional aging.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled pork chops served with a sweet chili sauce, beef teppanyaki, oven-roasted lamb, aged hard cheeses, and desserts featuring bitter dark chocolate.
Service
Serving temperature: 16~18°C.
Decanting enhances the wine’s flavors and aromas. Recommended decanting time: approximately 2 hours before serving.
Basic Information
- 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
- 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
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
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.
- Country of origin: Romania
- Producer: DeMatei
- Type: red / dry
- Grape variety: Merlot 100%
- Classification: D.O.C. – C.M.D. Dealu Mare / old vines
- Readiness for drinking: 2025~2032
- 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.
James Suckling Awards This Wine 93 Points!
World-renowned wine critic and former Wine Spectator editor, James Suckling, has given this wine an outstanding score of 93 points.
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
A striking deep garnet-red.
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
This is a dry, full-bodied wine with high alcohol content, offering a robust structure supported by balanced acidity and firm tannins. Flavors of ripe fruits and dark chocolate dominate, providing a gratifying experience. Its intense character and long finish suggest further refinement with additional aging.
Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled pork chops served with a sweet chili sauce, beef teppanyaki, oven-roasted lamb, aged hard cheeses, and desserts featuring bitter dark chocolate.
Service
Serving temperature: 16~18°C.
Decanting enhances the wine’s flavors and aromas. Recommended decanting time: approximately 2 hours before serving.
Basic Information
- 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
- 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
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
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.
