2021 Yoichi Nana-Tsu-Mori Pinot Noir

Harvest 8 October. Ambient-yeast fermentation in synthetic-resin-lined tank. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels (10% new). 12,300 bottles produced. This is a cult-wine Pinot Noir that I tasted on my last visit to Japan. Transparent rust colour. It does smell of Pinot, quite earthy Pinot! Sweet and recognisably Pinot. Sweet start and dry finish. Possibly the most impressive Japanese wine, even if it's slightly over-extracted? Not perfect but very encouraging. I can imagine that this wine played a part in de Montille's decision to invest in Hokkaido. Maybe prematurely aged? But recognisable. (JR)