Aged in French barrels. Original Santa Barbara Mission label by Japanese-American sumi-e artist Drew Kataoka. With a calm impression and excellent transparency, it is made to be enjoyed even now. (From Bien Nacido vineyards.)・Vineyard)
Concept by Nakagawa Wine
Mission Label, which Nakagawa Wine recommends (with a stable supply) as a standard wine and for use by the glass, is a well-balanced and distinctive "California fine wine" that pairs well with food.
What is a mission label?
The author is Drew Kataoka, a multi-talented artist who was born in Tokyo and graduated from Stanford University. She is based in the United States and is a sumi-e painter, flutist, and poet.
He expresses everything from classical ink painting techniques to paintings using modern subjects with just one brush. His works are loved by prominent people in various fields, including sports, jazz, politics, and culture.
She is very close friends with Jim Clendenen, the owner and winemaker of Au Bon Climat, and asked him to draw the wine labels for Nakagawa Wines.
This is the Nakagawa Wine Original Mission label, which has been familiar to us for many years.
The Mission label's motif is an actual church located in a small Dutch-style town called Solvang in Santa Barbara County.
It is a lovely little church in pastel colors, a little different from the atmosphere of the ink-wash mission labels.
Drew Kataoka
Mission Santa Barbara
Tasting Comments
This wine, with its excellent transparency and mellow flavor, is an elegant wine that can be enjoyed with a meal, and is representative of owner Jim Clendenen, who has remained true to his belief of making wines in California that are like Burgundy.
The red fruit flavours shine brightly and the finish is smooth.
Field Information
Bien Nacido Vineyards
The Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley is located on a hillside running east to west, where cool breezes from the sea flow in, helping to maintain excellent acidity and allowing the grapes to ripen fully thanks to the sunlight during the day.
Le Bon Climat
Le Bon Climat is about 8km south of Bien Nacido, but directly opposite (i.e. the same distance from the Pacific Ocean).
Jim Clendenen himself selects the low-yielding rootstocks, scion clones, planting spacing, irrigation methods, etc.
The fields are mostly on slopes with good drainage and low nutrient content, and have been grown organically since the beginning, receiving organic certification in 2003.
Sold in 2022.
Vintage: 2022
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Santa Barbara County
Nested AVAs: Santa Maria Valley
Vineyard: Bien Nacido, Le Bon Climat Vineyard
Winemaker: Jim Adelman
Vinification: Whole bunches used in some cases depending on the vintage, fermented in open tanks, punched down
Aging: Aged in French barrels for approximately 18-20 months, with some new barrels used depending on the vintage.
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.5%
JAN: 857835003399