Kikuka Chardonnay Barrel-Aged 2020, 13%, 750 ml

Kumamoto Wine Farm & Kikuka Winery is recognised as one of Japan's finest Chardonnay producers. Working with around thirty partner grape growers, it farms approximately 9 hectares of vines, of which 90% are planted with Chardonnay, exclusively in the Kikuka region (Kumamoto Prefecture).

The vineyards, situated between 100 and 200 metres above sea level, benefit from a favourable terroir: more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, good ventilation, well-drained sandy soils and temperature variations that promote grape quality. The harvest is carried out by hand between late August and mid-September.

The winemaking favours small lots, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, followed by a plot-by-plot selection and ageing of approximately one year in French oak barrels.

This classic-style Chardonnay stands out for its elegance, aromatic complexity and balance. It reveals notes of ripe citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), peach and apricot, combined with nuances of vanilla, gentle spices, toasted walnut and butter imparted by the oak. Endowed with fine minerality, a lively acidity and a long, lingering finish, it offers an ample, rich and harmonious palate with excellent ageing potential.