Bright, complex, clean, lively and vivid. This sauvignon blanc from natural producer Grape Republic is crisp and refreshing in a way I've never known before. It's not cheap, but it's coming halfway across the world, and all vines are farmed biodynamically under less than ideal conditions (Summer rain, deep Winter snow) by Grape Republic.
Honestly-- and even as a fan of Japanese wine and believer in its potential-- I didn't know what to expect. A 0/0 sauvignon blanc, perhaps 11% ABV, is anyone's guess. But I was thoroughly impressed. Not green or vegetal at all-- think herbaceous, gooseberry, grapefruit.
Region: Yamagata Prefecture
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Size: 3.50 hectares
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 12 hour maceration, spontaneous fermentation in amphora with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 2 months in amphora, 2 months in stainless steel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none