About YAMAFUJI Blue Label
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Price Range
- ¥5,000-7,000
YAMAFUJI Blue Label is a limited-production flagship red blend from Horaisan Winery (Yamafuji Grape Farm) in Fuchu, Toyama — the oldest continuously operating winery in Japan's Hokuriku region. Crafted from estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Franc, some from vines approaching 40 years old, it is not released every year; the current 2019 vintage follows a sold-out 2016 edition. "Blue Label" marks the wine in its youthful drinking window — the winery itself notes it has roughly two more years of ageing before it would earn the winery's "Black Label" designation reserved for their longest-matured bottlings.
A rare glimpse into a wine mid-transformation — taste the Blue Label now for its youthful fruit, then again in a couple of years to see how Horaisan's craftsmanship earns it the Black Label.
New to wine?
A great first taste of a serious Japanese red blend — youthful and approachable now, with real ageing potential if you want to see how it changes.
Food Pairings
Its Merlot–Cabernet Franc structure pairs well with grilled or roasted red meats, hearty stews, and aged hard cheeses. Because it still carries youthful tannin, it also stands up nicely to grilled unagi or yakitori glazed in a rich tare sauce.
When to drink it
A conversation-starter for dinner with wine-curious friends, or a bottle to lay down and revisit in a couple of years to compare against its own future "Black Label" self.
Terroir & Winemaking
A blend of estate-grown Merlot and Cabernet Franc, some from vines approaching 40 years old, hand-harvested and hand-tended. "Blue Label" marks bottles still in an early-drinking window; the winery ages selected lots further to eventually release them as "Black Label." Produced only in select vintages — the prior release (2016) sold out before the current 2019 vintage came to market.
About the producer
Horaisan WineryHokuriku's oldest winery, family-run since 1927富山市, 富山県 · Founded 1933Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grapes are in YAMAFUJI Blue Label?
- It's a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown on Horaisan Winery's estate vines in Toyama, some approaching 40 years old.
- Is YAMAFUJI Blue Label made every year?
- No — it's a limited release. The 2016 vintage sold out before the current 2019 vintage came to market.
- What does "Blue Label" mean?
- It marks the wine in its youthful drinking stage. The winery notes it needs about two more years of ageing before it would be released as their "Black Label."
- What food pairs well with it?
- Grilled or roasted red meats, stews, aged cheese, and rich, tare-glazed Japanese dishes like yakitori or grilled unagi.
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