2018 Ikeda Koshu Grande Cuvée Yamanashi

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 86 points

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  1/20/2022 - forceberry wrote: 86 Points

  The flagship white of Ikeda, made by selecting the best Koshu grapes grown in the larger Yamanashi region. Fermented and aged in new 280-liter oak barrels. 12,5% alcohol.
  
  Completely colorless, fully neutral limpid whitish appearance. Very restrained and understated nose with subtle aromas of white peach, some Asian pear, a little bit of sappy herbal character and a faint hint of creamy oak. The wine is clean, ripe and quite neutral but also enjoyably fresh and firm on the palate with a medium body and somewhat linear flavors of pithy pomelo, some stony mineral notes, a little bit of tangy salinity, light nutty nuances of wood and a hint of zesty lemon. The moderately high acidity lends the wine good sense of structure. The finish is fresh and clean with light, medium-long flavors of crisp white fruit, some fresh red apple tones, a little bit of lemony citrus fruit, light chalky mineral notes and a hint of creamy oak.
  
  A very light, neutral and understated Koshu, feels much more restrained and underwhelming compared to the 2017 vintage, more similar to the very delicate entry-level Koshus of the winery. Fortunately the wine shows good sense of freshness and structure, otherwise it would feel just dilute. I have no idea if the wine is just in a slump or if the style is just this reticent. If it's not the latter, this might get better with some cellaring. However, I wouldn't hold my breath.

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