Osawa Wines is run by Japanese owner Taizo Osawa. Their home base, Hawke's Bay, is a relatively warm region that specializes in producing slightly stronger wines. This wine is concentrated yet mellow.

It goes perfectly with meat dishes such as Bolognese, stewed hamburger, and beef stew. Japanese dishes such as grilled eel and stewed beef are also recommended.

Concentrated + smooth

When I (sommelier Iwasu) serve this wine by the glass at my restaurant "Bokumo," there is a high chance that customers will buy it again. What's more, customers will take a picture of the bottle with their smartphone and purchase it online later. That's what we're seeing. We're grateful for that.

So why is it supported?

Of course, it's because it's delicious. But I also think another big reason is that you can enjoy the deliciousness of aged sake at an affordable price.

As you know, red wine has the characteristic that its flavor changes significantly as it ages.

As the wine sits in the bottle for a while, the fruit aromas fade and are replaced by complex, deep aromas of leather, earth and mushrooms.

The once strong tannins become less harsh and the balance with the acidity becomes smoother.

The result is not a flashy impact, but rather a "long-lasting deliciousness" that gently blends with the food.

This type of aged red wine is actually quite rare in New Zealand.

Many New Zealand wines are released soon after they are made and are drunk quickly. However, Osawa is different. The latest vintage of this Flying Sheep (entry series) Merlot & Cabernet is 2016.

In other words, they age the wine in their own cellars and release it when it's ready to drink. What generosity (or maybe it's just the sheer generosity of their financial situation, haha).

That's why customers responded so well to this wine when we served it by the glass.

"It has a delicious taste that hits you every time."
"It goes really well with the food!"

I hear comments like this. And I think it naturally leads to repeat listening.

Now, when I actually tasted it...

The color is dark cherry red with a slight brick color around the rim, a sign of aging.

The aroma features black currant and blackberry, with nuances of red meat and damp forests.

You can tell when you put it in your mouth. Ah, this has a ripe flavor. With supple tannins, the flavor of ripe fruit and a calm depth. The aftertaste is long, with a subtle spice that elegantly returns to your nose from your throat. Wonderful!

It goes well with Western dishes such as stewed hamburger steak and beef stew, as well as Japanese dishes such as grilled eel and simmered beef.

The winery is run by Rod McDonald, a winemaker known as the "genius of Hawke's Bay."

One can only take one's hat off to the skill behind a design that anticipates this feeling nine years from now.

I think the price is surprisingly reasonable for an aged New Zealand red wine.

Please take this opportunity to try it out.

Recommended pairings

It can be simply grilled with just salt and pepper, but it also goes well with stews and other dishes with complex flavors.

If you sip this wine after tasting your meal, it will have the same effect as a red wine sauce, adding a touch of elegance to your meal.

Bolognese

Beef stew

Grilled eel

About the Winery "Osawa Wines"

Osawa Wines is a boutique winery located in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's North Island.

It was established in 2005 by its Japanese owner, Taizo Osawa, who had dreamed of farming overseas since he was a boy.

Since its founding, Osawa Wines has believed that "making safe and delicious wine begins with growing the best grapes," and while it incorporates the latest technology in grape cultivation, it still primarily cares for the branches, leaves, and fruit of its vast single vineyard, which covers an area of 43 hectares (about the size of nine Tokyo Domes), by hand.

In addition, they started their organic cultivation, which was their goal, from the 2013 vintage. Their 2016 vintage wine was certified by BioGro NZ, a New Zealand organic certification body. Since then, all their wines have been given the same certification.

The head brewer is Rod MacDonald, who was once named New Zealand's best brewer. By incorporating wild yeast alcohol fermentation and traditional brewing processes, they maximize the unique characteristics of their own vineyards to produce safe, reliable, and top-quality wines.

The lineup of Osawa Wines is as follows:

• Flying Sheep, Osawa Wines' representative casual line
• Reserve Wine (High-Quality Wine) "Prestige Collection"
• Reserve Wine (Top Quality Wine) "Winemaker's Collection"

These three series are divided into a wide range of releases, from casual to authentic flavors that can be aged for a long time.

About Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is located in the eastern part of the North Island and is characterized by abundant sunshine and a relatively warm climate, and boasts the second largest grape-growing area in Australia.

Hawke's Bay specializes in producing red wines, particularly those made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Syrah, while fruity Chardonnay is a popular white wine.

The Gimlet Gravels, an area created when an earthquake pushed up what was originally a riverbed, is one of Hawke's Bay's important sub-regions.

Osawa Wines Flying Sheep Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

item	Content
Winery Name	Osawa Wines
Country of Origin	new zealand
Origin	Hawke's Bay
kinds	red
Grape variety	Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2016
Alcohol content	12.0%
capacity	750ml
others	Sustainable certification, BioGro certification
remarks	Screw Cap

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