1903 Merlot White Label
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 3–7 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, aged hard cheeses
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the sun-drenched Bugeac Steppe in the southern autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova, the 1903 Merlot White Label by Tomai pays homage to the historic foundation of viticulture in the village of Tomai. The year 1903 marks the inception of the region's modern winemaking legacy, where the unique microclimate—characterized by hot summers and moderating black sea breezes—proved ideal for nurturing Bordeaux varieties. This Merlot is crafted to showcase the natural affinity of the grape to the clay-rich soils of southern Moldova. It undergoes traditional fermentation followed by careful aging in oak casks, resulting in a red wine that beautifully balances ripe plum and dark cherry fruit notes with subtle undertones of sweet spice, vanilla, and soft, well-integrated tannins.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1997 in the historic winemaking village of Tomai within the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova, Tomai-Vineex builds upon a regional viticultural heritage dating back to 1903. Located at Str. Teatrala 1, MD-6115 Tomai, Gagauzia, Moldova, the winery operates a fully integrated, closed-cycle production system, managing its own vineyards where local and international varieties thrive under the warm southern Moldovan sun. Combining traditional oak cask aging with modern Italian and Swedish processing technologies, Tomai-Vineex is renowned for crafting expressive, well-structured wines. Their portfolio is highlighted by the Grand Reserve and Wino Grand Elite series, which showcase elegant, fruit-forward expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Franc, and Chardonnay in dry, semidry, and semisweet styles. For more information, visit their official website at http://www.tomai-vineex.com.