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Temple Cellars

Domaine Takahiko Yoichi-Nobori N Passetoutgrain 2023
In-Store Only

Domaine Takahiko

Domaine Takahiko Yoichi-Nobori N Passetoutgrain 2023

Regular price $265.00
Unit price per

Hokkaido // Japan

95% Pinot Noir and 5% Zweigelt. 2023 was a year of extreme pressure as the birds devastated the vineyards of Hokkaido. Domaine Takahiko was one of the few that managed to bring some fruit into the cellar. Thanks to the impact of millerandage on the vines, the grapes from Nana-Tsu-Mori vineyard had beautiful acidity and aromatics. 

In the cellar, the traditional winemaking recipe was applied, but due to the character of the vintage, a dash of Zweigelt (2%) was added to better balance the resulting wine.

While 98% of the blend comes from Nana-Tsu-Mori vineyard, the 2023 is labelled Yoichi-Nobori-N Passetoutgrain, where the last ‘N’ stands for the Nana-Tsu-Mori vineyard where the Pinot Noir was harvested.

Brainchild of Takahiko Soga, owner and winemaker, the winery has become undisputed master of Japanese Pinot Noir in just over a decade. Cherished by wine lovers for its unique take on Pinot Noir, the winery is something of a phantom, flying under the radar of mainstream media.
 
About the Producer

Takahiko Soga founded Domaine Takahiko in Yoichi, Hokkaido in 2010. His parents operate the Obuse Winery in Nagano, and wine has been a part of Soga’s life since childhood.

Trained as an oenologist and microbiologist at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, his work in the wine industry began as the farm manager of Coco Farm Winery where he immersed himself in the culture of wine, visiting producers across the globe and finding particular inspiration in the Jura and Burgundy in France. After 10 years he decided to establish his own farm and winery devoted to Pinot Noir. To do so, he embarked on a quest to find the perfect place to grow that temperamental variety. Visiting numerous sites across Japan, he finally chose Yoichi as the site to establish his own domaine.

Domaine Takahiko consists of a single 4.6-hectare vineyard of Pinot Noir vines at roughly 60 meters above sea level on a hill above the Yoichi River. The vineyard, called Nana Tsu Mori, is the source of all of the wines labeled Domaine Takahiko. The site was at one point a cherry orchard. Today, it is planted to Pinot Noir from 13 different clones from France, Germany, and Switzerland. The soils are sand and gravel over soft, dark volcanic clay; the bedrock is andesite, a finely grained dark stone of volcanic origin. The soils and the bedrock provide good drainage for the vines, which is vital in an area with relatively high precipitation year-round.

Takahiko's wines are a phenomenon. The wines from his tiny domaine located in Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido are among the most sought-after and hardest to find at restaurants and wine stores in Japan and around the world. Hundreds of volunteers from all over Japan come to the domaine to participate in the harvest, all drawn by the unique wines and unique philosophy of the domaine’s founder - and the incredible quality of his natural wines.

The Domaine Takahiko wines are expressions of the unique terroir of Yoichi. Takahiko Soga sees himself primarily as a farmer and regards his work as primarily agricultural. He shares this identity with his neighbors in Yoichi, whether they grow potatoes, apples, cherries or grapes. His wines are delicate, savoury and unpretentious.

Doorstep Delivery

Standard Delivery
Complimentary standard delivery on orders $100+ within 3 working days. For this option, we are unable to guarantee chilled delivery.

Next Day Delivery
Complimentary delivery on orders $150+, or $25 flat fee. Orders are delivered from 12pm - 8pm. Next day delivery cut off is at 12pm. Orders must be placed by 12pm to be delivered the following day. Orders placed after 12pm will be delivered the day after. No 'next day' delivery on Sundays; only 1-hour deliveries apply. 'Next day' orders placed after Friday 12pm will be fulfilled on Monday.

There will be no next-day deliveries on Sundays, public holidays or days that the store is closed, unless otherwise announced online.

1-Hour Delivery
Complimentary delivery on orders $300+, or $35 flat fee. Orders are delivered between 12pm - 4pm. Place order by 3pm latest to receive within the hour. Orders placed after 3pm cut off will be delivered the following day. Please expect delays with unfavourable weather conditions.

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