About Grand Cuvée Syrah
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Syrah
- Price Range
- ¥3,300-3,520
- Alcohol
- 13%
Grand Cuvée Syrah is Ikeda Winery's flagship Syrah bottling, made from 100% Syrah grown in the estate vineyard planted directly behind the winery in Katsunuma, Yamanashi — one of the few dedicated Syrah plots among Japan's Koshu-dominated wine country. Released only in good vintages, the wine undergoes an extended, slow maceration to draw out deep color and flavor before aging in oak barrels. The result is a full-bodied red with the variety's signature peppery spice, concentrated cassis and black-fruit character, refined tannins and a long, noble, oak-inflected finish that shows the Katsunuma terroir through an international grape. It is the Syrah counterpart to Ikeda Winery's single-varietal Grand Cuvée Merlot and sits above the Merlot/Syrah blend Select Red — production is tiny, and the wine has sold out at the winery in recent vintages.
Proof that Katsunuma isn't just Koshu country — this tiny-production estate Syrah delivers real peppery spice and cassis depth, and it disappears from shelves almost as soon as it lands.
New to wine?
A great introduction to Japanese-grown Syrah — bold and spicy like its Rhône and Australian cousins, but with a restrained, elegant Katsunuma character underneath.
Food Pairings
Its peppery spice and firm tannins make it a natural match for grilled or roasted lamb, pepper-crusted steak, and aged hard cheeses. In Japanese cuisine, it pairs especially well with rich, umami-driven dishes such as unagi kabayaki (grilled eel with sweet-savory glaze) or beef simmered in miso or soy-based sauces.
When to drink it
Best saved for special dinners, celebrations, or as a gift for wine lovers who appreciate rare, small-production Japanese reds — supply is limited and it tends to sell out quickly.
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Syrah, hand-harvested from the estate vineyard directly behind the winery in Katsunuma, Yamanashi. Extended maceration for deep color and flavor extraction, followed by oak-barrel aging. Full-bodied. Produced only in favorable vintages in very limited quantity; recent vintages have sold out.
About the producer
Ikeda WineryFamily-crafted Koshu and Muscat Bailey A from the heart of Katsunuma甲州市, 山梨県 · Founded 1995Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Grand Cuvée Syrah made from?
- It is made from 100% Syrah grown in Ikeda Winery's own vineyard planted directly behind the winery in Katsunuma, Yamanashi.
- What does Grand Cuvée Syrah taste like?
- It is a full-bodied red with concentrated cassis and black-fruit aromas, Syrah's signature peppery spice, refined tannins, and a noble, oak-inflected finish from barrel aging.
- Is Grand Cuvée Syrah easy to find?
- No — it is released only in favorable vintages in very small quantities, and recent vintages have sold out at the winery and through retailers.
- What food pairs well with Grand Cuvée Syrah?
- Grilled or roasted lamb, pepper-crusted steak, and aged hard cheeses are classic matches; in Japanese cuisine, try it with unagi kabayaki or miso- or soy-simmered beef.
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