2024Autumn Village Cellars Wine CataloguePrices do not include Consumption Tax. RRP= Recommended Retail Price. As part of our support for the J.S.A. Sommelier Scholarship organized by the Japan Sommelier Association, since 2019 Village Cellars has awarded the Leeuwin Estate The Art of Fine Wine Award, a scholarship that provides young sommeliers with the opportunity to visit wine producers in Western Australia. In March 2024, the scholarship tour visited seven wineries in the state. One of the sommeliers, Yuta Yoshida, shares his impressions of Frankland Estate, Picardy, and Leeuwin Estate, together with comments on the wines he tasted.Yuta YoshidaFood and Beverage Manager at a Luxury Resort Hotel (Kurohime, Nagano Prefecture) scheduled to open this winter. 2020 Leeuwin Estate The Art of Fine Wine Award WinnerCODE12668It was still hot in Margaret River in early March. David Winstanley, the head viticulturalist at Leeuwin, drove us to the vineyards (Leeuwin currently owns 660 hectares) where the white bird netting covering the rows about to be harvested was dazzling in the intense sunlight. We passed through a eucalyptus forest and arrived at the beautiful winery. Leeuwin sees wine as “art”. It is clear that they put a lot of effort into wine tourism, with an art gallery exhibiting the original paintings used on the Art Series labels and a modern restaurant serving dishes that make the most of the wine.The tasting consisted of four wines, each from a different vintage, including the Art Series, Prelude Vineyards, and Siblings. Senior winemaker Tim Lovett explained all 15 wines and answered questions, which was particularly valuable.Due to the effects of climate change, wineries around the world are struggling to produce the ideal balance, but Leeuwin’s wines are generally very impressive for their fresh and clean acidity. In particular, Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 is truly wonderful in terms of the balance of taste and price. The powerful aromas of pear, white peach, and chamomile are well balanced by a sweet vanilla aroma from the barrel, and just smelling the aroma makes you want to drink it quickly. In the mouth, I could feel the richness of the highly ripe fruit, and at the same time, the supple and firm acidity makes you want to reach for another sip, and another sip.In addition to wine, there are many other attractions at Leeuwin Estate such as beautiful scenery and delicious food. I hope more people will visit Margaret River and experience the delights of Leeuwin Estate for themselves.PicardyPinot Noir2021Variety：Pinot Noir100%Alc.13.2％Frankland Estate (Frankland River)Leeuwin Estate (Margaret River)Photo: Yasuhiro Momma, Sales DepartmentCODE12753CODE12588Frankland EstateIsolation Ridge VineyardRiesling 2022 (screw cap)Variety：Riesling100%Alc. 12.3% RS 4.8g/LLeeuwin EstatePrelude VineyardsChardonnay 2022 (screw cap)Variety：Chardonnay100%Alc.13.8％Picardy (Pemberton)RRP ￥7,000RRP ￥4,800RRP ￥4,950－8－Winery VisitsNotes from our scholarship tour of seven wineries in Western Australia (March 2024)◆ I thought there was nothing hereThere’s nothing here ‒ that was my first thought when I visited Frankland Estate. After leaving Perth, we drove for about four hours on a straight road, wondering when the scenery would change, and finally arrived at Frankland Estate winery. The name of the vineyard, “Isolation Ridge,” is fitting. Hunter Smith, a member of the founding family and director, was waiting for us outside. We walked into the vineyard, which impressed with its dark earth colour imparted by oxidized iron, known as “coffee rock.” Certified organic, they use no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Next we met, Brian Kent, the head winemaker, who showed us tanks of freshly-made Cabernet Sauvignon that were fermenting, and we also tasted Riesling from several tanks, and Chardonnay from the barrel. Brian’s aim is to bring out the best in the grapes by combining traditional methods with the latest technology. The Riesling in particular, is fermented and aged for an extended period in stainless steel tanks, bringing out its fresh, fruity, and pure flavours.Isolation Ridge Vineyards Riesling 2022 has a bright acidity and impressive minerality, with a scent of lime and green apple. It is great with a wide range of food pairings, and is wonderful with seafood, vegetables, and meat. It was an exceptional and unforgettable experience to taste multiple vintages of Rieslings, Syrahs, and Olmo’s Reward one after the other, while looking out over the vast vineyards and native forests, with fresh salads, potatoes, and a mountain of meat in front of me. In this remote place where I thought there was nothing, there were wonderful wines that connect people and food.◆ You feel the “Art” on site◆ Uniquely interestingEstablished in 1993, Picardy is a family-run boutique winery in the small region of Pemberton, known for its outstanding quality and unique style with attention to detail. In particular, there are many passionate fans of its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Dan Pannell, second-generation winemaker from the founding family, welcomed us into the cool aging cellar, before we moved onto the new tasting room opened in 2022 where we listened to an explanation while tasting. In the vineyard, everything up to the harvest is done by hand. For Pinot Noir, which is a special focus, they grow 11 different clones, which are skilfully combined to bring out complex flavours.Winemaking is based on traditional Burgundian style, with Pinot Noir fermented in open tanks and aged in French oak barrels. This approach gives the wine an elegant and balanced flavour and brings out complex aromas. Similarly, Chardonnay is fermented and aged in French oak, resulting in a wine with rich texture and a long finish. The Picardy Pinot Noir 2021 that I tasted was particularly impressive for its silky mouthfeel and rich flavour of red fruits, with an exquisite balance of spice nuances. It is very interesting, combining both the aroma and flavour of New World fruitiness and classic complexity. This visit allowed me to learn firsthand about the Pannel family’s deep love and passion for wine and their high level of skill. A unique wine is born from the fusion of grapes grown in the natural environment of Pemberton, a region of rolling hills, and a careful winemaking process.
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