Kamihoro Wine Mori
上幌ワイン 森
10R Winery
Sauvignon Blanc · Auxerrois · Aligoté · Pinot Gris · Savagnin · Siegerrebe
About this wine
Kamihoro Wine "Mori" is a complex field blend white wine from 10R Winery's estate vineyard in Kamihoro, Kurisawa-cho, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido. The east-facing slope plot is sheltered on its north side by a natural forest—the source of the wine's name "Mori" (forest)—which acts as a windbreak and maintains higher temperatures in the vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc forms the backbone of the blend, co-fermented with up to seven additional white varieties including Auxerrois, Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Savagnin, and Siegerrebe. Winemaker Bruce Gutlove, a California State University-trained enologist who led Coco Farm Winery before founding 10R in 2012, harvests each variety at its ideal moment before fermenting them together. With an average CellarTracker score of 94.2, "Mori" is regarded as one of the finest white wines being produced in Japan today.
If you think white wine means simple and refreshing, "Mori" will rewrite your assumptions. It opens with bright citrus and wildflowers, then slowly reveals chestnut, nectarine, and a savory mineral depth that keeps evolving in the glass. You don't need to analyze it—just notice how it changes and enjoy that journey.
Sommelier's Note
""Mori" is the most intellectually compelling white wine I know from Japan. Bruce Gutlove's decision to field-blend Sauvignon Blanc with northern Burgundian and obscure Alsatian varieties on a cold Hokkaido slope produces a wine with a tension and minerality that few Japanese whites achieve. At CT94.2, it outscores most producers who have been at this for decades. If you encounter a bottle, don't overthink it—open it with the best seafood you can find and pay attention. You will remember it."
Food Pairings
The wine's lively acidity, mineral spine, and aromatic complexity make it a natural companion for the seafood richness of Hokkaido—think grilled hokke (Atka mackerel), steamed clam soup, or white asparagus with hollandaise. The herbal Sauvignon Blanc character lifts fatty sashimi such as hirame (flounder) or kampachi. It also works beautifully with fresh goat cheese, chicken rôti with herbs, or a simple plate of local vegetables with vinaigrette.
When to drink it
A special-occasion wine for two at home—paired with a Hokkaido seafood dinner. A conversation piece at a small gathering of curious wine lovers. A reward after a long week that deserves something genuinely memorable. Or simply the first "serious" Japanese white wine you share with someone who says they don't really drink wine.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Sauvignon Blanc, Auxerrois, Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Savagnin, Siegerrebe
- Style
- White
- Price Range
- ¥3,700–¥4,400
Terroir & Winemaking
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (approx. 60%) co-fermented with up to seven other white varieties including Auxerrois, Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Savagnin, and Siegerrebe. Estate vineyard on an east-facing slope in Kamihoro, Kurisawa-cho, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido. North side of the plot is sheltered by natural forest (windbreak). Each variety is harvested at its optimal maturity and fermented together. Minimal intervention winemaking approach. 750 ml. Annual production: limited (undisclosed). CellarTracker average: 94.2 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape varieties are in Kamihoro Wine Mori?
- Sauvignon Blanc is the backbone (approximately 60%), co-fermented with up to seven other white varieties including Auxerrois, Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Savagnin, and Siegerrebe. The exact blend varies by vintage.
- Is Kamihoro Wine Mori a natural wine?
- Yes. 10R Winery practices minimal intervention winemaking—no unnecessary additives, no heavy manipulation. Bruce Gutlove's approach is to let the estate vineyard and each vintage speak for themselves.
- What does Kamihoro Wine Mori taste like?
- Expect complex aromas of chestnut paste, nectarine, pomelo, fresh hay, and wildflowers. The palate is tight and powerful with a vivid mineral tension, bright acidity, and a long, savory finish. It evolves significantly in the glass over 30–60 minutes.
- How rare is this wine?
- Very. Production volumes are undisclosed but understood to be small. It is primarily distributed through specialty wine retailers in Japan and rarely seen at general liquor stores. Online availability is limited and sells out quickly upon release.
- How long can Kamihoro Wine Mori be aged?
- The 2021 vintage was noted as having excellent aging potential of at least 7 years from release. The wine's high acidity and mineral structure support medium-term cellaring.
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