Nagano Prefecture has long been known as a region that produces excellent wines.
Shiojiri City is famous as the region in the prefecture where Japan's finest Merlot is produced.
Wines made from Shiojiri Merlot are highly regarded worldwide, and it is no exaggeration to say that this is the birthplace of Japan's finest Merlot.
In this article, we introduce the wine from "Domaine Kosei," a notable producer in Shiojiri City who is dedicated to Merlot.
The wine introduced this time at "CRAFT WINE SHOP" is a rare primeur wine that can only be obtained here.
Please use this as a reference when choosing your wine.
About "Domaine Kosei"
"Domaine Kosei" is a winery located in Kataoka, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture.
It is a notable winery in the Kataoka area of the Shinshu Kikyogahara Wine Valley, dedicated to making wine exclusively from "Shiojiri Merlot."
"Domaine Kosei" was established in 2019.
Although it is a relatively young winery in terms of history, its first release red wine "Kataoka Merlot 2019" has already attracted attention from the wine industry and enthusiasts, winning the highest gold award at the Bordeaux Wine Challenge.
This winery receives constant love calls from famous hotels and people in the food and beverage industry.
Because of that, you can already find many collaborative wines.
Why is "Domaine KOSEI" so attractive?
Let's introduce the reasons below.
Kosei Ajimura, a winemaker representing Japan
The owner of "Domaine KOSEI" is Mr. Kosei Ajimura.
Mr. Ajimura is a leading figure in Japanese wine, having served as the head winemaker at Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery.
Mr. Ajimura, whose family runs a liquor wholesale business, studied wine brewing at Yamanashi University, and worked at a major winery, has lived a life involved in winemaking, but eventually decided to become independent driven by his desire to make wine he could truly be satisfied with.
He started grape cultivation in 2016 in the Kataoka district of the Shinshu Kikyogahara Wine Valley, and the winery was completed in 2019, giving birth to "Domaine KOSEI."
With a strong desire to make wine by hand according to his own ideas, Mr. Ajimura surprisingly became independent two years before his retirement.
Because "Domaine KOSEI" is filled with everything from Mr. Ajimura, who has served as the head of winemaking at a winery highly acclaimed worldwide, it is likely what captures people's hearts.
Commitment to Merlot
When you think of "Domaine KOSEI," you think of Merlot.
If someone asked, "Please tell me about the best Merlot in Japan," everyone would undoubtedly introduce "Domaine KOSEI."
However, why did Mr. Ajimura, who continued winemaking at a university in Yamanashi and in Katsunuma, choose Shiojiri City in Nagano Prefecture?
He chose to make wine in Nagano Prefecture due to various reasons, including the presence of many wineries in Yamanashi Prefecture and his desire to make wine using European grape varieties.
The ideal region Mr. Ajimura arrived at was the Kataoka district in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture.
Speaking of "Kikyogahara," it is one of Japan's leading Merlot-producing regions and the place where pioneers built the history of Merlot in Japanese wine.
Shiojiri City is known as a region suitable for Merlot, which thrives in areas with large temperature differences, and not only "Domaine KOSEI" but many wineries cultivate European grape varieties for wine, including Merlot.
Mr. Ajimura has experience in vinifying Merlot from Kikyogahara during his time at Château Mercian, and he believed that by focusing on a single grape variety, he could better achieve his dream of winemaking as he envisions it.
"Domaine Kosei"'s own vineyard is located in the Kataoka area, at an altitude of around 700m, where Merlot is cultivated in ideal soil with excellent drainage and moisture retention, formerly a mulberry field.
A unique point is that roses with the same initial as the alphabetically named vineyard plots are planted there.
By planting roses, which are more delicate than grapevines, they can quickly notice and respond to changes in the vineyard.
Furthermore, they insist on "reduced pesticide" cultivation, which is said to be difficult, harvesting only Merlot that satisfies Mr. Ajimura.
The way of life devoted entirely to Merlot is also a reason for its popularity.
Relentless challenge toward Merlot that suits Japanese people
"Domaine Kosei" is committed to producing a healthy Merlot that suits Japanese people.
Rather than imitating the wonderful Merlots found worldwide, they want to create a Merlot for Japanese people, born in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture.
To aim for a clean quality Merlot, only the cleanest parts of the juice are used, with state-of-the-art equipment, thorough hygiene management, and careful storage management—these meticulous details are unique to Mr. Ajimura.
They also pay attention to cork taint, choosing the highest quality corks possible.
And "Domaine Kosei" is also famous for its wonderful use of barrels.
They practice various uses of barrels depending on the wine, including the finest French oak, American oak, and blends of each.
Since "Domaine Kosei" is challenging Merlot that can be aged long-term, older vintages are highly popular and some labels are difficult to obtain.
"Japanese Merlot has finally reached this level."
Anyone who tastes the wine from "Domaine Kosei" will likely feel this way.
"Domaine Kosei" Primeur
This time, the wine from "Domaine Kosei" introduced by "CRAFT WINE SHOP" is the first primeur introduced in Japan.
Primeur, which means "new" in French, is simply a system of pre-selling wine that is aging in barrels, essentially a kind of "futures purchase" of wine.
Globally, Bordeaux primeur is famous, where various châteaux sell wine still aging in barrels ahead of becoming finished products, and stakeholders taste the wine from the barrels to decide whether to purchase it.
The "Domaine Kosei" primeur is precisely a system that utilizes this method, selling wine that is maturing in barrels at the winery before bottling.
Tasting multiple wines, buyers purchase barrels of those they feel have potential.
In other words, wines purchased as primeur can only be obtained from the buyers, making them very rare.
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" has prepared four types of primeur from "Domaine Kosei."
These are highly rare wines that can only be purchased at "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Since these wines can be enjoyed with long-term aging, it is recommended to purchase all four bottles and try aging them.
Now, let's introduce the primeur wines of "Domaine Kosei" presented by "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2020
The 2020 vintage, aged in French oak barrels.
Ripe berry aroma, smooth mouthfeel, and fresh acidity impression.
A concentrated flavor with soft tannins from aging, an elegant finish typical of Japanese Merlot.
The balance is perfect, it is ready to drink now but still has great aging potential, a magnificent Merlot.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2020 8,800 yen (tax included)
Click here to purchase!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2021
The 2021 vintage, aged in French oak barrels.
Compared to 2020, it is a refined Merlot with sharp acidity and tannins that provide a strong structure and tension.
Black fruit, spicy, and herbal aromas create complexity, and the mouthfeel is surprisingly smooth.
Blind tasting might mistake it for an overseas Merlot, changing the concept of Japanese Merlot with this one bottle.
This is a Merlot that you can't help but look forward to aging.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2021 8,800 yen (tax included)
Click here to purchase!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2022
A 2022 vintage aged in French oak.
A fresh aroma with impressions of plum, blueberry, herbs, and green notes.
A well-balanced finish with delicate acidity and tannins that form the structure.
The mouthfeel is soft, and the fruit flavors spreading in the mouth are very elegant and refined.
A Japanese-style Merlot that pairs well with Japanese cuisine, enjoyable both now and after aging.
Buying two bottles, one to drink now and one to age, is also recommended.
Please also enjoy vertical tastings with other vintages.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2022 8,800 yen (tax included)
Click here to purchase!
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2023
This time, the youngest vintage is the 2023 Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot.
A Merlot aged in American oak, offering a unique charm different from other vintages.
You can enjoy aromas of black fruits like plum, clove notes from the barrel, and pleasant herbal aromas.
Although aged in American oak, the vanilla and coconut nuances are subtle, resulting in a surprisingly elegant and delicate finish.
Being young, it has sharp acidity and tannins, but the balance is good, making it an exciting bottle to see how it will mature.
It seems to pair well with Japanese cuisine, so it makes you want to try various combinations.
Domaine Kosei / Shiojiri Kataoka Merlot Barrel Aged 2023 8,800 yen (tax included)
Click here to purchase!
Summary
Since its birth in 2019, "Domaine Kosei" has already become a central figure in Japanese wine.
As the first winery in Japan to introduce primeur, there is no doubt that they will continue to show innovative attempts.
The primeur wine from "Domaine Kosei" introduced this time is extremely rare and can only be purchased at "CRAFT WINE SHOP."
Why not take this opportunity to make a purchase?
