-
95
/ 100
Gary Walsh
White
Classification
Koshu
Variety
2019
Vintage
700ml
Bottle Size
Japan
Country
Yamanashi, Toriibira
Region
12.0%
Alcohol %
Ready, but will Keep
Cellaring
Scores
95 / 100"Many years ago, I’d never have imagined that tasting a set of white wines from Japan would be one of my more favourite events of the year. It’s a life full of surprises, for sure. Smooth, fine, tinge of aniseed, apple and lemon barley, but so composed with a nutty almost sake-like umami quality, but pure. Fine flinty feel, flavour delivered with subtlety, and a long, fresh and gently textured finish. Finesse. Quiet charisma. Wines so worthy, and so worth seeking out here."
- Gary Walsh
Tasting Notes
This wine was grown in the Toriibira district, Katsunuma-village in Yamanashi on Clay Pebble soil. The vines were trained via the Pergola training system then hand picked, fermented in seasoned French Oak and aged in stainless steel tank.
Yamanashi is the first Japanese Geographical Indication (GI) for wine. Established in 2013, it is situated in the prefecture of the same name. Yamanashi is promoted as the birthplace of Japanese wine production.
Koshu is a thick skinned grape and purplish-pink in colour. Research confirms that it is over 90% vitis vinifera, meaning the grape is European in origin and suitable for winemaking. It likely arrived in Japan with Buddhism about 1,000 years ago via the Silk Road through China. Winemaking first started in Japan in the 1870s, with Katsunuma as its birthplace and still the most important area for wine-making in Japan.
“Grace” originates from the “Three Graces” in Greek mythology.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity