Japan
Tasted Sunday, July 20, 2014 by StefanAkiko with 646 views
A full day of wine exploration in Katsunuma, arguably the center of Japanese wine production. After getting off the bus in semi-rural Katsunuma, we were kindly taken by car to BUDOU NO OKA. The man is a grower of peach and, when we returned in the late afternoon to buy some of his peaches and say thankyou for his kindness in taking us to BUDOU NO OKA in his car, he told us about his own wine making. Unfortunately all sold out to his "fans". We hope to be able to score some of his Koshu next year!
In the cellars of BUDOU NO OKA you pay a small fee, get a tastevin and can taste as many of the wines on display as you wish. We were disappointed with the generally poor quality of the reds. We focused Merlot this time, next time we will probably focus Muscat Bailey A instead.
The white ones were on the other hand, rich, well made and generally in the 'very good' bracket. We focused wines made from the Koshu grape. We will go for Koshu also next time.
Because of the complicated matter of walking around without tasting tables, most wines were not written about. Moste reds were too acidic and thin or tasted like slightly sweet grape juice. For the whites, I tasted around in order to get a firm idea of the Koshu grape. Because of Life's time restraint, I don't add the following wines on CT:
2013 Jyunihara Merlot, 75p.
Unbalanced, watery, immature berries with tart acids.
2013 Yasuki Hagihara, Yasumasa Merlot, 80p.
Ok wine. Sprawling acids, has a compelling quality in the raw wood used here. Nothing to long for though, but would go well with grilled meat.
2013 Miwakubo Merlot, 85p.
This is a very good medium bodied REAL wine with pronounced acids. Could possibly grow in to a man.
2012 Gomibudoshu Merlot, 87p.
Finally! Good tannins creating a fine structure with the slightly thin fruit and balanced acids. Abundant yet unintegrated roasted oak here. Plus point: Has the future for it. Minus point: Has that slight sweetness that I never long for in Cali Merlots...
2012 Soruyu Premium Merlot and CS, 70p.
Swedish BiB meets American oak. Slightly sweet, taste of grape juice. Easy drinking. Easy avoidance.
2012 Yasuki Hagihara, Syrah, 84p.
Almost very good. Has good varietal character with a good dollop of spicy milk chocolate and very fine intensity. However, also the slightly sweet grape juice feeling with no spine (no tannic structure).
In a very good locale, tasting tables, great tour guide, fabulous presentation and good selection of wine.
Rosé, yoh... We can live without.
Their Muscat Bailey A was well priced and enough interesting to make us get 3 btls from two vintages.
Shockingly eye-opening tasting experience. I never expected to find Japanese wines of THIS high quality. This flight impressed the hillbilly out of me. Now, Japan is proven to be on track when it comes to producing GREAT wines. Fabulous!
Delayed, starved and sooo happy for neighbour's restaurant.
And even more happy for having cleared the Chianti phase of our lives now.
Yup! Done :-)
What a glorious day! Even if the bus home was delayed 3 hrs because of an accident on the highway, we finished the Sunday with big smiles from a fantastic day with kind and passionate people.
...and some outstanding Japanese wines!
2008 Marufuji Winery Merlot Chariot d'Or 78 Points
Japan, Chūbu, Yamanashi, Katsunuma
Serves you the unpleasant aromas of foul grapes. It's a pity, because the wine's components are fully integrated with mature notes...
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Marufuji Winery Rubaiyat Rouge R 82 Points
Japan, Chūbu, Yamanashi, Katsunuma
Towards Bojo in style. Light touch, red berries galore with strawberries in top. Fine acids and pure wine. No notes of age or ageing.
Not our taste.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Marufuji Winery Rubaiyat Rouge Barrel Aged 88 Points
Japan, Chūbu, Yamanashi, Katsunuma
What a huge step up the quality ladder from the un-oaked version. Has richness, a great structure with its M+ tannins and M+ acids underlining the fruit. Some complexity and with upside to be delivered when cellaring for some 5 years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Katsunuma Jozo Koshu Sur Lie 87 Points
Japan, Chūbu, Yamanashi, Katsunuma
Summery fruity white with an intense concentration and the trade mark Koshu herbal-spicy character towards chervil. Amazing today, can probably develop well for at least another 20 years...
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Haramo Koshu Vintage Sur Lie 82 Points
Japan, Chūbu, Yamanashi, Katsunuma
Summery fruity bagatelle. Some concentration lifts it above 80p. Perfect for sipping on a hot day. Even if we can easily imagine better wines for that purpouse.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue