Grace Cuvée Misawa Blanc ‘Chardonnay’ 2019

Grace Winery (Chuo Budoshu) was founded in 1923 by Chotaro Misawa in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, the birthplace of Japan’s wine industry. The winery has a history of innovation, being one of the first to introduce modern techniques like Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) in 1990 to enhance grape quality. Today, the winery is run by the Misawa family, with the current winemaker being Chotaro’s great-great-granddaughter, Ayana Misawa. The winery is committed to the philosophy that great wine comes from high-quality grapes grown in exceptional vineyards. They focus on traditional Japanese craftsmanship while also implementing progressive, modern techniques to enhance quality and reflect the unique terroir of the Katsunuma region. Grace Winery is considered a benchmark for quality in the Japanese winemaking community. 

Grace Chardonnay, grows in cool climate at an altitude of 700 m, is harvested at its perfect maturity after it turned golden in colour. Of the three Chardonnay parcels at the Misawa Vineyard, only grapes from sections with the best air circulation are used, rigorously selected for vinification into Cuvée Misawa Blanc, followed by gentle whole bunch press, then fermented and matured mostly in old French oak barrels. Fermentation in French oak barrels, maturation in barrels for 11 months

THE WINEFRONT

Grace Cuvee Misawa Blanc 2019 – 94+ / 100 Points

Struck match, biscuit oak, white peach and green apple, pink grapefruit. Juicy, green apple, flinty grip, a subtle green herb thing, tight and juicy, again green apple and pear, with some cinnamon oak and almond meal on the finish. Excellent.

– Gary Walsh (Jan 2022).