Gensaku-Jirushi Muscat Bailey A Cold-Macerated Barrel-Aged
源作印 マスカット・ベーリーA 低温醸し 樽貯蔵（MBA単一品種）
Chichibu WineAbout Gensaku-Jirushi Muscat Bailey A Cold-Macerated Barrel-Aged
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Muscat Bailey A
- Price Range
- Approx. ¥2,750
- 720ml, tax included, official price
A full-bodied, single-varietal red made entirely from Muscat Bailey A by Chichibu Wine, Saitama's oldest winery, sold under the historic 'Gensaku-jirushi' (源作印) label. The grapes are sourced from Yamanashi Prefecture and fermented using a cold maceration technique to draw out deep color and aroma before the wine is aged in French oak barrels and then in bottle. The result is a richly concentrated expression of Muscat Bailey A, layered with oak-derived spice and vanilla over the variety's signature dark berry and candy-like fruit. It has been awarded bronze medals at the Japan Wine Competition (JWC) in 2011, 2012, and 2017 across different vintage releases. This is distinct from Chichibu Wine's other Gensaku-jirushi red blending Muscat Bailey A with Cabernet Sauvignon — this bottling is 100% Muscat Bailey A.
One of the most concentrated single-varietal Muscat Bailey A bottlings around — cold maceration and French oak give it a richness that punches well above the grape's usual weight class.
New to wine?
A great next step for Muscat Bailey A fans ready for more concentration and oak-driven complexity.
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with soy-glazed and grilled dishes: hamburg steak in tomato sauce, beef fillet steak with soy and grated daikon, fried oysters, seared bonito (katsuo tataki), shabu-shabu beef with sesame-miso sauce, and salted yakitori thigh. Also complements Camembert, Brie, and cream cheese.
When to drink it
Suited to hearty Japanese dinners with grilled or soy-glazed dishes, and as a gift for fans of Japanese red wine.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Muscat Bailey A sourced from Yamanashi Prefecture. Fermented with cold maceration to preserve color and aromatic intensity, then aged in French oak barrels followed by bottle aging. Full-bodied. Sold across multiple vintage lots, including a 2009 vintage (awarded bronze at JWC2012) as well as 2017 and 2018 releases; ABV is not disclosed on the producer's official product page.
About the producer
Chichibu WineSaitama's oldest winery, crafting the storied 'Gensaku-jirushi' wines since 1940.小鹿野町, 埼玉県 · Founded 1940Visit the producer page →More wines from Chichibu Wine
- Chichibu KARASAWA Merlot (Regular Bottling)Red · Merlot
- Chichibu KARASAWA Merlot — Limousin Oak AgedRed · Merlot
- Chichibu KARASAWA RedRed · Cabernet Franc · Merlot · Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chichibu Wine CabernetRed · Cabernet Franc · Cabernet Sauvignon · Syrah
- Domaine Chichibu ChardonnayWhite · Chardonnay
- Domaine Chichibu KARASAWARed · Cabernet Franc · Cabernet Sauvignon · Merlot
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this wine a single-varietal Muscat Bailey A or a blend?
- It is 100% Muscat Bailey A. It is a different bottling from Chichibu Wine's Gensaku-jirushi red that blends Muscat Bailey A with Cabernet Sauvignon.
- What does this wine taste like?
- A full-bodied red with concentrated dark berry and candy-like Muscat Bailey A fruit, layered with vanilla and spice notes from French oak aging.
- What food pairs best with this wine?
- Rich, soy-glazed Japanese dishes such as teriyaki-style yakitori, beef shabu-shabu with sesame-miso sauce, and grilled beef fillet steak with soy and grated daikon.
- What awards has this wine received?
- It has won bronze medals in the domestic-hybrid-variety red category at the Japan Wine Competition (JWC) in 2011, 2012, and 2017, across different vintage releases.
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