1903 Merlot White Label
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 3–7 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, aged hard cheeses
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1903 by local winemaker Gheorghii Topciu in the Bugeac steppe of southern Moldova, Tomai (legally structured as S.C. Tomai-Vinex S.A. since 1997) carries forward more than a century of winemaking traditions rooted in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. Benefiting from the sun-drenched rolling hills and fertile chernozem soils of the Valul lui Traian Protected Geographical Indication, the estate operates a closed production cycle spanning vine grafting, viticulture, and vinification. The regional microclimate, situated along the 46th parallel and moderated by the nearby Black Sea basin, produces ripe, balanced fruit with generous phenolic development. Tomai focuses on classic international cultivars and indigenous expressions, fermenting red and white varietals in stainless steel with selective barrel maturation in Moldovan, Russian, and French oak casks. Benchmark bottlings include the estate's flagship Negru de Tomai, Roșu de Tomai, and the Gagauz and Bugeac varietal collections of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Merlot