About this wine
Hikari no Majin ("The Sorcerer of Light") is a 2023 red wine from Azucca e Azucco, the celebrated husband-and-wife winery in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. True to the winery's tradition of giving every vintage a new, poetic name and label, this cuvée is built around Malbec — described by the winemakers as a key varietal of their estate vineyard — blended with Petit Verdot. The grapes undergo whole-bunch (whole-cluster) fermentation and the wine is aged in small handmade oak barrels, yielding a wine the producers describe as having a warm, sun-drenched depth and an authentic, unpolished character typical of their minimal-intervention approach.
A rare, small-batch Japanese red blend with a fun, story-driven name — a great pick for those curious about Japan's artisanal wine scene.
Sommelier's Note
"Part of Azucca e Azucco's ever-changing, one-vintage-only lineup — Hikari no Majin captures the estate's Malbec at its most expressive, and like all of the winery's cuvées, it will not be made again under this name."
Food Pairings
As a whole-bunch fermented Malbec–Petit Verdot blend, it favors grilled and roasted red meats, lamb, and dishes with charred or smoky notes; its structured tannins also stand up well to aged hard cheeses.
When to drink it
A conversation-starting bottle for dinner with friends or as a collectible gift for Japanese natural wine enthusiasts.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Malbec, Petit Verdot
- Style
- Red
- Vintage
- 2023
- Price Range
- ¥6,000-8,000
Terroir & Winemaking
A Malbec-led blend with Petit Verdot from Azucca e Azucco's own vineyard in Toyota City. Whole-bunch (whole-cluster) fermentation, aged in small handmade oak barrels, minimal-intervention winemaking. 750ml, 2023 vintage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grapes are used in Hikari no Majin?
- It is a blend led by Malbec — described by the winery as a signature varietal of their vineyard — with Petit Verdot, from the 2023 vintage.
- Why does the wine have such an unusual name?
- Azucca e Azucco gives each vintage a new, poetic name and label rather than reusing a fixed brand name — "Hikari no Majin" (The Sorcerer of Light) is the name chosen for this particular 2023 bottling.
- Can I still buy Hikari no Majin 2023?
- Being a tiny-production, twice-a-year release, it has already sold out at some retailers; availability varies by shop and should be checked directly.
- How was it made?
- The grapes were fermented whole-bunch and the wine was aged in small handmade oak barrels, in keeping with the winery's minimal-intervention philosophy.
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