Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Grace Koshu 2023 – Yamanashi GI, Japan 🇯🇵

Overview
Produced from 100% Koshu, Japan’s signature indigenous white grape, this wine is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel to preserve purity and transparency. Grown in the elevated vineyards of Katsunuma, Yamanashi, it beautifully expresses the restrained elegance that has made Grace Wine an international benchmark for Japanese fine wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Yuzu, lemon peel, green apple, white peach, Asian pear, and delicate white flowers lead into subtle mineral notes with hints of wet stone and citrus zest. Delicate rather than aromatic, everything is driven by finesse.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, a steely mineral backbone, and exceptional precision. The texture recalls the purity of Chablis with a subtle sake-like silkiness, finishing remarkably clean, refreshing, and focused.

Food Pairings
Sashimi, sushi, crudo, oysters, grilled white fish, tempura, steamed shellfish, or lightly seasoned Japanese cuisine.

Verdict
An elegant expression of Japan’s flagship white grape that prioritizes freshness, balance, and precision over power. Refined, mineral-driven, and wonderfully food-friendly, it stands comfortably among the world’s finest delicate white wines.

Did You Know?
Koshu has been cultivated in Japan for nearly 1,000 years and is believed to descend from ancient grapes that traveled along the Silk Road before adapting to Japan’s humid climate. Today, Yamanashi is considered the spiritual home of premium Koshu wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
One of the purest and most distinctive white wines I’ve experienced. Its combination of crystalline freshness, mineral precision, and understated elegance makes it a benchmark not only for Japanese wine, but for delicate, terroir-driven whites anywhere in the world. It has earned a permanent place among my favorite food wines. — 10 hours ago

Ginny DeLacey

9.0

Green fig, pomegranate, pepper. Lightly tannic. Drank on a cool night in Asheville at Bottle Riot. — 5 years ago

with Joseph

OgDaveed

9.1

Tart grapefruit nose and a sweet green apple finish. First time trying Verdejo, won’t be my last! — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.2

Small Green Everything from Other Half is such a good, light hazy IPA. A session beer that demands a session. — 7 years ago

Josh Magness

9.2

Vanilla on the nose. Tropical fruits, coconut, green apple and citrus zest. Zap of acidity at the start on the front of the tongue, complemented by the fruit flavors. — 8 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.0

What a steal this wine is. Great aromatic intensity and rather expansive on the palate with a very persistent finish. More green, herbal qualities to this vintage, but well-rounded with fragrant white flowers, piercing peaches,
grapefruit pith and a hint of salinity. Nervy, high-acid, herbal and rather complex. An ideal accompaniment to just about any fish, and with enough savory and vegetal component to match well with challenging pairings such as asparagus (which I tried, and it was excellent). — 8 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

To me, this smells and tastes like a late-70s, old school Napa Cab. Very dark color. Nose charges out of the gates with cassis, olives, dark green pungent herbs, gravel, and a little iodine. Approachable (and enjoyable) already on the palate. Sure, it’s a bit tannic but they’re soft, with mouth-coating savory flavors. None of that damn chocolateyness I don’t like (which seems near-ubiquitous now in Napa Cabs), and zero jamminess. What a value (I got it for $39) for a very tasty and true-to-type Napa Cab. — 10 months ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of light tea. Nose is nice, full of ripe tropical fruits, mango, banana, and pineapple, ample fragrance. Taste follows the nose with addition of rind and spice, some mineral too. Less sweet than I thought. Crisper than I thought. Aftertaste of some more green apple, clean, medium long. Nice and refreshing. — 4 years ago

Ralph DiBiasi

9.3

Green Bananas on the nose. Light brown sugar hints of coconut and lingering spice finish. — 5 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

All Green Everything from Other Half is a terrific hazy IPA. It was streets ahead of others when it first came out. Now it probably lacks a bit of the finesse of some of its peers but still has tons of depth a nuance. A reference point and always a pleasure. — 7 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.2

Green apple jolly rancher. — 8 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.1

The fruit is starting to mellow just a little bit but these still benefit from an hour of air. Rich dark fruit, with lots of syrah character. A little black pepper but not overwhelming and a little green pepper too. Drinks well now with more improvement short term and should be in its prime for another 8-10 — 8 years ago

Namho Kim

9.1

Pleasant surprise. So good. I’d drink it every week. Easy to approach yet elegant (pretty close). Hint of green apple, grapefruit and zest. — 8 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

As the kids say, this one just hits different. I’m not the biggest SB fan, but Bedrock’s Sonoma SB consistently brings out the floral, melon, and pear aspects of the varietal while leaving the green aspects behind. 2024 is no different, and comes with nice acidity to balance it as well. A great a versatile food wine. — a year ago

Weston Westenborg

9.3

Fresh mowed grass on the nose. Great balance. Excellent. — 3 years ago

Joseph Lewinski

9.5

This was one of the first Pet Nats that had years ago and it still hits. Love everything Michael Cruz does. This sparkling Valdigue is easy drinking with still awesome complexity. Nose of rose and strawberry. Notes of rose hip, camomile, and bright green apple. First wine in the new house in NOLA. — 4 years ago

with Ginny

Todd Stone

8.9

Pale yellow with touch of green tint, not much aroma. After a few mins air it was smooth, on the lighter side, low oak, low butter, slight tartness. Flavors of green apple and/or pear, touch of grapefruit. Very nice! For The Infatuation-Parcelle Wine School Zoom. — 6 years ago

with Peggy

James Gourley

9.3

Great barrel aged sour beer! I really dig the way oak aging softens the usually hard bite of a sour brew. — 7 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.1

A wine of subtlety and restraint. Green apple and ripe pear notes with not much power or length. Shows better with grilled halibut, mushroom jus, and butter ‘shrooms. No noticeable oak, not a rich buttery style. — 8 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

Pale yellow in color with aromas of lemon, green apple, and honey. Tart and mineral on the palate with slightly waxy texture and 12.5% alcohol. Made from the Golden Aligoté grape which finds its highest expression in Bouzeron where it is championed by Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of DRC. Imported by Kermit Lynch. Paired nicely with oysters. — 8 years ago

with Kelly