{"id":24068,"date":"2019-07-15T12:16:45","date_gmt":"2019-07-15T12:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wineanorak.com:\/wineblog\/?p=24068"},"modified":"2019-07-15T13:55:22","modified_gmt":"2019-07-15T13:55:22","slug":"nagano-region-japan-16-a-tasting-of-top-nagano-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wineanorak.com:\/wineblog\/japan\/nagano-region-japan-16-a-tasting-of-top-nagano-wines","title":{"rendered":"Nagano Region, Japan (16) a tasting of top Nagano wines"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On the last day of my Nagano trip I was in Nagano city for an overview tasting. This invlolved some of the top Nagano wines. Most of the winemakers were present, and I was asked to taste the wines then share my opinions with everyone. This puts you on the spot a bit! Some nice bottles here.<\/p>\n

Presentir Beppin Saaya Chardonnay 2017 Kurakake Tomi, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nThis is fresh and lively with some rounded appley notes as well as delicate lemon and pear fruit. Light in style with a stony edge to the bright fruit. Has some personality and character, as well as a bit of carbon dioxide enhancing the fresh impression. 88\/100<\/p>\n

Presentir Beppin Rio Pinot Noir 2017 Kurakake Tomi, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nLight in colour with lovely fresh, delicate red cherry fruit with some slight herbal notes. Fresh with a twist of undergrowth. Subtle, fragrant, light and understated, this is really elegant and fine. 90\/100<\/p>\n

Kusonoki Winery Riesling 2017 Suzaka, Chikuma River, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nFresh and bright showing nice citrus fruit core with a nice lemony drive. Good acidity here. Light style but with nice mineral presence. Has a delicate mineral and lemon aftertaste. Lovely integrated flavours all work together. 90\/100<\/p>\n

Shinshu Takayama Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Takayama, Chikuma River, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nDelicate grassy, elderflower nose is quite elegant. Light, textured palate with good acidity and some nettle, elderflower flavours. Subtle and understated, and very effective. 89\/100<\/p>\n

Terre de Ciel Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Komoro, Chikuma River, Nagano<\/strong>
\nLeafy, grassy nose. Lively palate with some green herbal hints, bright gooseberry notes and keen acidity. Very fruity with high acidity. 87\/100<\/p>\n

Northern Alps Vineyards Lab Pinot Gris 2016 Omachi, Japan Alps, Nagano<\/strong>
\nLovely tangerine and table grape fruit with some smokiness and a hint of savouriness. Bright and dry with high acidity and lovely varietal character. Some baked apple on the finish. Very stylish. 90\/100<\/p>\n

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Yamabe Winery Pinot Gris 2015 Matsumoto, Japan Alps, Nagano
\n<\/strong>Nice brightness here allied with some richness. Grapey and quite bold with some pear, grape and tangerine fruit. Has a bit of weight on the palate with nice detail. Dry and nicely balanced. 90\/100<\/p>\n

Hayashi Noen Estate Kazikawa Chardonnay 2017 Shiojiri, Kikyogahara, Nagano
\n<\/strong>Attractive citrus, pear and apple fruit core with nice focus on the fruit. Very balanced with some richness. Subtle bready, toasty notes and a hint of sweetness alongside the keen acidity, creating a rounded feel in the mouth. Stylish wine. 91\/100<\/p>\n

Ch\u00e2teau Mercian Yokoyama Farm Azumino Chardonnay 2016 Azumino, Japan Alps, Nagano<\/strong>
\nNot a powerful style, but rather it’s quite delicate, with some fine toasty notes complemented by lemon, mandarin and white peach fruit. Refined and well made with great balance. 91\/100<\/p>\n

Presentir Beppin Field Blend Ros\u00e9 Haru 2018 Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nRounded and smooth with lovely pure cherry and strawberry fruit. Nice smooth texture in the mouth with some pear fruit and a bit of grapey richness. Easy to drink. 88\/100<\/p>\n

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Gio Hills Winery Nakadana Pinot Noir 2017 Komoro, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nBrilliantly pure with sweet red cherry fruit and a lovely smooth texture. Silky, light and elegant with lovely fruit presence. Such poise here: subtle and refined with incredible elegance and lightness. 92\/100<\/p>\n

Kido Private Reserve Pinot Noir 2017 Sjiojiri, Kikyogahara, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nHas a sappy, leafy, herbal edge to the cherry fruit nose, with a little lift. The palate is fresh and quite elegant with some juicy cherry fruit and some sweet bite from the acid. Stylish but with a bit of sourness on the finish. Would be better with less volatility. 88\/100<\/p>\n

Villa d’Est Winery Pinot Noir 2017 Tomi, Chikuma River, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nLight and supple with lovely purity to the red cherry and plum fruit. Very fine-grained with some nice structure. Understated style, but with lovely fruit presence. Fine and elegant, and not trying too hard. I like it. 91\/100<\/p>\n

Funky Ch\u00e2teau Cabernet Franc 2016 Aoki, Chikuma River, Nagano, Japan<\/strong>
\nLovely structure and texture here: this has ripeness, smoothness and freshness, with some attractive oak playing a supporting role. It’s harmonious and elegant showing red cherry and raspberry fruit, with some silkiness and a touch of vanilla spice on the finish. Harmony is the key. 93\/100<\/p>\n

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St Cousair Rouge NV Iitsuna, Chikuma River, Nagano<\/strong>
\nBlend of 2014 and 2015, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Fresh and lively with some juicy fruit. Nicely expressive with good acidity and raspberry and red cherry notes. Has a bit of grip, but overall it’s pretty elegant and refined. Nice weight. 90\/100<\/p>\n

Manns Wine Komoro Winery Solaris Higashiyama Merlot 2015 Ueda, Chikima River, Nagano<\/strong>
\nA very stylish, ripe but balanced expression of Merlot. Smooth and textured with fleshy cherry fruit and some nice grippy structure. Has freshness and balance, with a savoury undercurrent and some bite on the finish. 92\/100<\/p>\n

Suntory Shiojiri Winery Iwadahara Merlot 2015 Shiojiri, Kikyogahara, Nagano<\/strong>
\nFloral, aromatic nose of sweet cherries. The palate is supple, fresh and shows pure red fruits with nice texture and a bit of grainy tannin. But the emphasis here is on lovely pure fleshy fruit. Really expressive and pure. 92\/100<\/p>\n

Shinano Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Shiojiri, Kikyogahara, Nagano<\/strong>
\nQuite mature with some earth and herb notes, alongside midweight cherry and plum fruit. A little faded and developed with hints of coconut and herb. Mellow and smooth, but quite a faded, old fashioned style. 87\/100<\/p>\n

Find these wines with wine-searcher.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Nagano Wine Region (2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n