The last bottle of Fujiclair Berry A I had was rather disappointing, and I was beginning to think that perhaps it’s unrealistic to expect too much from Muscat Bailey A. However, the bottle I opened this time was the complete opposite of that Fujiclair one—beautifully made, and genuinely enjoyable.
The wine shows a medium to slightly pale ruby hue with purplish edges. On the nose, there’s a hint of gunpowder and lean red meat. The SO₂ stands out a little, and given that it’s under a screw cap, the wine seems to have been in a somewhat reductive state. That said, I personally don’t mind this kind of aroma; once swirled, fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit notes begin to emerge.
On the palate, it’s light to medium-bodied, with charming fruit and citrus-like acidity in pleasant harmony. The tannins are gentle, yet there’s a certain depth and substance beneath the lightness. It might be a bit too delicate to pair with a steak, but on the other hand, it would work well in many situations where one might normally opt for a white wine.
Overall, it’s the polar opposite of Fujicco’s rather made-up style—fresh, natural, and unpretentious. I was impressed by its pure, bare-faced charm and couldn’t help but think, this is exactly what you’d expect from Japan’s oldest winery.