About this wine
Pinot Noir from Hirakawa's cool-climate Yoichi vineyard, unified with techniques absorbed over 12 years at French estates including Domaine Dujac and Château Margaux. Extended maceration extracts color and tannin, followed by 14+ months in oak (20% new) with free-run and press wines kept and aged separately before final assemblage. The result is a structured yet elegant red that rewards patience.
A structured yet elegant red that shows why Yoichi is Japan's answer to Burgundy — silky tannins, red fruit, and a finish that lingers long after the glass is empty.
Sommelier's Note
"Hirakawa Pinot Noir is the benchmark for Japanese red wine. Dujac-trained maceration technique and 14-month barrel aging produce a wine with Burgundian elegance that ages beautifully for a decade."
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with roasted duck, grilled Hokkaido lamb, mushroom risotto, and aged Comté. Japanese pairings include soy-glazed duck, shabu-shabu wagyu, and miso-marinated grilled fish.
When to drink it
Special dinners with meat dishes, autumn and winter evenings, a gift for Burgundy lovers seeking Japan's finest red, or a cellar wine for patient collectors.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥6,000-8,800
Terroir & Winemaking
Extended maceration to extract color and tannin from cool-climate Yoichi fruit. Aged 14+ months in French oak (20% new), with free-run and press wines kept and aged separately before final assemblage. Aging potential of 5–10 years from vintage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it taste like?
- It features vibrant red cherry and plum aromas, a hint of cedar and earthy forest floor, silky tannins, and a long, spiced finish.
- What food does it pair with?
- It pairs perfectly with roasted duck, Hokkaido lamb, soy-glazed poultry, and umami-rich Japanese dishes like wagyu shabu-shabu.
- When is the best time to drink it?
- It is ready to drink now but will gain considerable complexity and depth with 5 to 10 years of bottle aging.
- How is it different from a Burgundy Pinot Noir?
- Yoichi's cooler maritime climate produces a leaner, more mineral style with higher natural acidity than most Côte de Nuits reds — a uniquely Japanese expression of the variety.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
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