This Koshu is genuinely excellent. I have long been a fan of this producer: I’ve visited the winery in the past, and I’ve also dined several times at Rubaiyat, the Kagurazaka restaurant run by the two brothers behind the estate. Tasting this wine again after quite a long interval, I was reminded of its remarkable consistency and once more impressed by the sheer quality it delivers as a Koshu. In the glass, it shows a distinctive pale hue—less yellow than softly off-white. The aromas suggest Japanese pear and lychee, layered with a gentle, bready note from sur lie aging, along with a nuance reminiscent of ginjo-style sake. On the palate, the clean fruit is supported by a charming acidity that evokes Japanese citrus, and the moderate alcohol level makes it dangerously easy to keep pouring another glass. Above all, it pairs beautifully with everyday Japanese dishes such as grilled or simmered foods, which is one of its great strengths. The Grace Koshu from the Hishiyama vineyard that I drank over the New Year was also a superb wine, but this bottle can be found at nearly half the price. Its versatility and ease—able to accompany a wide range of dishes without any sense of formality—give it a welcome generosity. It’s a wine I’d be happy to keep as a regular fixture in my cellar.