Agri-Coeur / Kita Jun 2023 (Red) 750ml

The variety I first encountered when I came to Kaminoyama.

There have been people passionate about wine grapes in this area for 40 years.

The "Hokujun" variety that such people started planting was said to be too sour to drink as wine and was cut down, making it an extremely rare grape now with only four growers in Kaminoyama.

In fact, the wine from a certain winery, perhaps due to early harvest, had a dominantly acidic feel,

Using fully ripe grapes and aged for one year in barrels, it evokes Pinot Noir while the acidity structure reminds one of mountain grapes.

It was elegant with a solid structure, making me want to call it a Japanese Pinot.

Such grapes were macerated at a slightly low temperature for just under two months, with gentle pigeage, then after pressing, they were rested for about two and a half months before bottling.

Thanks to the intense heat of 2023 and a sugar content of 20, the acidity that was expected is not felt.

The unique richness and flavor of the mountain grape variety, especially the distinctive aroma reminiscent of "a certain variety," is very intriguing, and the fact that this aroma sometimes appears and sometimes doesn't adds to the mystery.