[Limited to 2 sets] Kimura Cellars Pinot Noir 2023 & 2024 Set

2024
A dignified Pinot made by a Japanese

The long-awaited new vintage, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2024, has arrived from Kimura Cellars , the winery of Japanese winemaker Shigehisa Kimura!

Marlborough , where Kimura is based, is a well-known major producer of Sauvignon Blanc. However, its cool climate and abundant sunshine are also ideal for Pinot Noir, making it New Zealand's leading producer in terms of yield. There is a wide variety of Pinot Noir available, from relatively affordable mass-produced varieties to premium wines that have earned international acclaim.

Among them, Kimura chose Awatere Valley , a particularly cool subregion of Marlborough. This region is known for its high altitude, large temperature differences between day and night, and dry winds, which allow the fruit to ripen slowly and produce extremely dense and delicate Pinot . Kimura's Pinot truly reflects the unique character of Awatere.

The taste is powerful , with a strong fruitiness and a somewhat elegant acidity , and the balance can best be described as "dignified."

The 2019 vintage of Kimura Pino won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in the UK, and the 2023 vintage also won a gold medal at the Marlborough Wine Show 2024 , earning it high praise both locally and internationally.

Cultivation and brewing

Located in the coolest part of Marlborough, Awatere Valley's stony silt loam soil allows for excellent drainage, resulting in concentrated fruit. The vines used are from 22-year-old Abel & 777 clone. The wine is hand-harvested and macerated for approximately one week in cold temperature before being fermented with cultured yeast.

During fermentation, the wine is carefully extracted by pichasing two to three times a day, and then aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (15% new).

Tasting Comments

The color is a slightly pale ruby ​​red , and when you swirl the glass, you can see the youthful luster.

The aroma is a mellow blend of ripe raspberries and plums with spices such as cloves and cinnamon, with hints of earth and red flowers like rosehips lurking in the background.

The palate is full of fruit, with the precision and delicacy that is typical of Marlborough, especially the Awatere Valley , and the soft tannins and clean acidity create a long finish.

It can be enjoyed now, but it also has the potential to become even more rounded and profound with a few years of aging .

Pairing example

I would like to pair Kimura Shigehisa's wines with Japanese food. The following dishes are sure to be an excellent match.

• Seared bonito
• Sweet and spicy chicken
• Yellowtail teriyaki
• Grilled eggplant dengaku
• Maitake mushroom and beef stew

This Pinot has a pale color but a strong core and fruity flavor, and I think it matches well with the flavors of Japanese cuisine.

2023
Winner of Gold at the Marlborough Wine Show 2024!
An outstanding Japanese Pinot that is spreading its wings to the world

Viva Kimura Shigehisa!

At the Marlborough Wine Show 2024, held in the famous wine-producing region of Marlborough, Kimura Cellars Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023 won a gold medal!

This wine also won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in the UK for the 2019 vintage. This latest award once again proves its high quality. Amazing!

Now, let's taste this gold medal-winning 2023 Pinot to see what kind of wine it is.

First of all, the color is a little darker.

The aroma is reminiscent of bright berries like raspberry , as well as dark fruits .

This vintage was aged for 11 months in 15% new oak barrels , and features spices like clove and licorice from the barrels within the fruity flavor .

It has a rich amount of tannins, but is very smooth , with a deep and satisfying flavor.

I think that bottle aging will further develop the flavor and make it even more mellow.

As for pairing...I would like to pair a Pinot made by a Japanese person with Japanese food.

It pairs very well with dishes that use a lot of soy sauce and miso, such as sweet and spicy chicken, miso-braised mackerel, and duck nanban, which have a strong umami flavor.

Shigehisa Kimura stands tall and speaks in a very polite manner. Whenever I meet him, I always get the sense that he is a former hotelier.

The wines that Kimura makes also have a taste that shows the care and effort that went into making them. Please enjoy this delicate Japanese Pinot that is recognized worldwide.

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About the Kimura Cellars Winery

KIMURA CELLARS is a family-run winery run by Japanese owner Shigehisa Kimura.

Kimura studied winemaking and viticulture in New Zealand and gained experience working in cultivation and brewing at several local wineries before founding Kimura Cellars in Marlborough in 2009.

Based on the concept of "wine where you can see the face of the maker" and "producers who are close to consumers," we carefully craft wine using organic farming methods.

In 2018, they finally began cultivating grapes in their own fields, which was a long-cherished dream of theirs, and are now focusing even more on organic farming methods.

The Kimura Cellars logo is a cherry blossom motif that represents the new shoots of a fern (koru), a symbolic plant of New Zealand. The fern is a symbol of New Zealand and represents new beginnings, growth, and harmony.

About Marlborough

Marlborough is the heart of New Zealand's wine region.

Marlborough has ideal natural conditions for grape growing, such as abundant sunshine and large temperature differences throughout the day, and produces over 80% of New Zealand's wine.

Among them, Sauvignon Blanc, characterized by its crisp acidity and overflowing fruitiness, boasts an overwhelming production volume and is loved worldwide for its unique character. In red wine, Pinot Noir, with its rich berry fruit flavor, is also popular.

Kimura Cellars Marlborough Pinot Noir 2024

Winery Name	Kimura Cellars
Country of origin	new zealand
Origin	Marlborough
kinds	red
Grape varieties	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2024/2023
Alcohol content	13.5%
capacity	750ml
remarks	screw cap