In Nagano, Japan: Domaine Sourire
This is a small winery established in June 2019 in Shiojiri City, and it is also a bakery. It was the city’s 15th winery – in 2019 three wineries were opened here and now there are 17. Katsumi Kitasawa, the owner, began growing wines 7 years ago, making use of some of the many abandoned fields in the area. He built the winery in 2019.
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There are 3 hectares of vines here, spread over 8 plots. Production in 2019 was 12 tons. The winery is big enough to do some custom crush, too. Eventually the goal is to take production to 30 000 bottles.
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THE WINES
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Domaine Sourire Revivre Dry White 2019 Nagano, Japan
Niagara. Very aromatic and very Niagara, with a jellyish edge to the lively citrus and melon fruit. In the mouth this is grapey and lively with lovely balance and some jellyish notes. Nice purity and balance here. 88/100
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Domaine Sourire Revivre Dry Red 2019 Nagano, Japan
In order to reduce the foxy hybrid character they fermented this at low temperature. Pure, aromatic, juicy and focused with a subtle jelly edge to the sweet cherry and raspberry fruit. Has a sour cherry edge with nice brisk acidity. Lovely fruit purity here. So drinkable. 87/100
Domaine Sourire Revivre Muscat Bailey A 2019 Shiojiri, Nagano, Japan
This is light, elegant and expressive with crunchy, juicy berry fruits. Some leafy cherry hints. Lovely purity here: there’s a nice green hint and the fruit is so fresh and vibrant. Delivers pleasure. 89/100
Domaine Sourire Revivre Merlot 2016 Nagano, Japan
This is quite elegant with a sweet cherry and plum fruit character as well as some fine-grained chalky structure. Finishes tight and quite dry. Some seriousness here. Subtle waxy, savoury notes on the finish. Stylish. 90/100