Sakai Winery
Nanyo, Yamagata

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Red
Style: Dry, light-bodied
Colour: Pale garnet
Alcohol: 12.0%
Wild yeast: Yes
Any added sulphites: 30 ppm
Filtered: No
Serving temperature: 16°C-
Production: 2,019 bottles
Please store in a cool, dark place.

Tasting notes
A delicate yet expressive Cabernet Sauvignon with a gentle structure. Aromas of violet, red currant, and cassis evolve into notes of cedar, mint, and subtle spice. The palate is soft and approachable, with fresh acidity, light tannins, and a savoury, umami-driven depth reminiscent of dashi. Elegant and fluid, with a clean and quietly persistent finish. Best enjoyed on the day of opening.

Food pairing
Sukiyaki, yakitori, beef simmered in soy sauce and ginger (shigure-ni), grilled eel without sauce (shirayaki), roast beef, mushroom risotto, pâté de campagne, grilled root vegetables, lu rou fan, Peking duck, sweet and sour pork with black vinegar, Korean-style bulgogi.

Winemaking
Haitaka 2022 is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grown by long-time partner grower of Sakai Winery, Takahiro Togashi in Sagae, Yamagata. The 2022 vintage saw early bud break due to a warm spring and steady vine growth under relatively dry conditions. Despite challenges from summer heat, the grapes achieved balanced ripeness with slightly higher acidity.

The wine was fermented slowly with indigenous yeasts and aged in neutral oak barrels for approximately one year. Sakai Winery, established in 1892, follows a traditional non-filtered method, allowing the wine to clarify naturally over time. With minimal sulphite use and occasional lees aging, the result is a wine with gentle structure and natural depth.

“Haitaka” (grey hawk) refers to a small but agile bird of prey, reflecting the wine’s balance of softness and underlying strength.

Nutrition Facts per 100ml
Energy: 72 kcal
Fat: 0 g
 - Saturates: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 1.0 g
 - Sugar: 1.0 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Salt: 0g