Ichi-P pinot black 2023, 12% 750ml * on order *

Among the four regions of Hokkaido where fruit can be cultivated, Yoichi / Niki is an abundant fruit harvest area. The good ventilation from the southwestern mountains and the marine breeze creates an environment where the grapes are less likely to suffer from gray rot. As the vineyard is located almost at the same latitude as Alsace, in France, the Pinot Noir is cultivated, the Pinot Gray, the Gewurztraminer and other hybrid varieties like the Yama Sauvignon, Yamasachi, the Campbell Early, Niagara, Portland and Tabiji.

The wines of our Ichiro Ueda winemaker, Ichi Domaine, are strongly influenced by his work experiences with Takahiko Soga of the Takahiko domain. As the Takahiko domain, the project focuses on the pinot black as well as on a small amount of Pinot Gray.

In 2023, the cumulative temperature was 1,589 ° C, nearly 300 ° C more than ten years ago in Hokkaido. The high temperatures caused the apical rot of many table grapes, especially Campbell and Tabiji varieties, but the most serious was the damage caused by the birds just before harvest. (High temperatures slowed down migration to the south of migratory birds such as shorebirds and starlings, which is considered one of the causes.) The damage was similar not only in the Yoichi region, but also in the Regions of Iwamizawa and Hakodate, which resulted in a decline in grape harvest throughout Hokkaido. However, thanks to moderate rainfall, the quality of the grapes has been good enough this year. Three-quarters of the grapes were scratched and a quarter was left into whole clusters for about three weeks of cold maceration. After about a month of fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it was raised for about a year in ancient barrels, and the malolactic fermentation is now complete.

Although its dress is rather clear, this vintage is distinguished by its pronounced fruity aroma and perfectly balanced acidity. It is delicious to drink as it is, but aging conferred on it an even more subtle and tasty aromatic balance.