About Kurahara Le Vent
- Style
- Red, natural
- Grape Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- Price Range
- ¥8,000–12,000
Kurahara Le Vent is a red wine by Eishi Okamoto of Beau Paysage, sourced from the Kurahara vineyard in Yamanashi Prefecture. A Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend named 'Le Vent' (The Wind), reflecting the cool breezes that shape the character of this second vineyard site. Characteristically light in extraction for Cabernet Sauvignon — aromatics lean toward fresh red fruit and subtle spice rather than heavy oak — it is a wine of transparency and elegance that challenges conventional expectations of the variety.
A revelation for Cabernet Sauvignon fans — impossibly light yet complex. The Kurahara site strips away the heaviness you'd expect, leaving only pure fruit and terroir.
New to wine?
Lighter than a typical Cabernet Sauvignon — approachable and fresh. A great introduction to Japanese natural red wine.
Food Pairings
Best with medium-weight red meat dishes: roast beef, lamb chops, duck breast. Also pairs well with aged Japanese cheeses or umami-rich dishes like braised short rib and teriyaki chicken.
When to drink it
Perfect for a relaxed dinner with red meat or aged cheese, or a wine tasting where you want to explore the Kurahara vs Tsugane terroir comparison.
Terroir & Winemaking
Grown organically at the Kurahara vineyard without herbicides or pesticides. Hand-harvested, naturally fermented with indigenous yeasts, no temperature control, no fining or filtration, minimal sulfur. Gravity-bottled in very limited quantities.
About the producer
Beau PaysagePioneer of Japanese natural wine, made entirely by hand.北杜市, 山梨県 · Founded 2008Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Kurahara Le Vent taste like?
- Surprisingly light and transparent for a Cabernet Sauvignon blend — fresh red fruit, subtle spice, and a clean finish with bright acidity.
- Is it heavy like most Cabernet Sauvignon?
- No. Okamoto's minimal-intervention approach produces exceptionally light extraction, making it more reminiscent of Pinot Noir in structure despite the Cabernet Sauvignon variety.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Medium-weight red meat: roast beef, lamb, duck, teriyaki chicken, braised pork belly, and aged Japanese cheeses.
- How does it compare to Tsugane Le Vent?
- Both are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends but from different vineyard sites. A side-by-side tasting reveals how terroir shapes even the same varieties differently.
Want to know more about this wine?
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