It is always a pleasure to cover the annual Sakura JWWA Grand Tasting. The 2025 event was held at Tokyo’s Gajoen Hotel, one of the most attractive hotels in the city. This year there were approximately 700 people in attendance. We encountered a couple of wineries whose output we have extolled in years past and a number of new ones that have made a lasting impression on us. One of those is Hugh Hamilton, a McLaren Vale winery with a nearly 200-year history and some whimsically named wines—how does Rascal and Scallywag sound to you?—that are as memorable for their flavor profiles as they are for their names. McLaren Vale is one of our favorite viticultural areas in Australia, and after tasting these wines, it may be yours, too. We will provide sensory evaluations for two of their wines.
The Rascal Shiraz: This deep purple Shiraz made from grapes entirely sourced from the Vale had blackberries with a hint of black pepper on the nose. There is more black fruit on the palate and some jam, as well. It has medium (+) tannins, a medium (+) finish, and 14.8% ABV. This is 91.7% Shiraz and 8% Cabernet. We think that this Rascal has enough structure to age well.
The Villain Cabernet Sauvignon (96% Cab, 4% Shiraz): Ruby colored and weighing in at 14.7% ABV, this villain has loads of cassis and black cherry on the nose, medium (+) acidity and medium (+) tannins on the palate. The finish is medium (+) as well. This is a very enjoyable wine and ready to drink, but we felt that with a little bottle aging the tannins should soften, thereby making it an even more enjoyable experience for the drinker.
Interested readers can find more about Hamilton’s output at their distributor’s website in Japan: https://www.georgeswines.jp/
Drinking Japan 