Kobayashi Winery
Nikko Sparkling Pinot Noir
Washington, USA
Kobayashi’s inaugural sparkler with flor from Anselme Selosse. Disgorged 2025; 0g/l dosage; 100% Pinot noir; own rooted vines from 1973.
I am both a fan of Travis and Mario the people, as well as the product they put out (all Kobayashi wines). As a Selosse fan (and also a sparkling wine fan) this was high on my radar to try soon and I was able to wait about 9months since I received it before I opened. Looking forward to more iterations to come.
This wine went through two phases. Initially it came across like a Cremant Bourgogne with nice crystalline citrus fruit upfront with a bit of a hollow mid-palate and then a clean but simple finish. I set it aside for a bit and came back thirty mins later to what was more akin to a white burg with bubbles. The palate fleshed out with the fruit showing added layers (spiced apple and white peach), much more depth in the middle (honeyed citrus, sea salt) while the finish was delicate and clean. I don’t get any Selosse influence from a taste profile, but I do get the Selosse mindset of making a white wine first. For my tastes, this is an example where even 1-2g/l dosage could do wonders from a texture and broad shoulders standpoint to lengthen it out. That being said, I understand the goal for Travis to highlight site and purity. If opening soon, give it some air to wake up. Fun.
Kobayashi’s inaugural sparkler with flor from Anselme Selosse. Disgorged 2025; 0g/l dosage; 100% Pinot noir; own rooted vines from 1973.
I am both a fan of Travis and Mario the people, as well as the product they put out (all Kobayashi wines). As a Selosse fan (and also a sparkling wine fan) this was high on my radar to try soon and I was able to wait about 9months since I received it before I opened. Looking forward to more iterations to come.
This wine went through two phases. Initially it came across like a Cremant Bourgogne with nice crystalline citrus fruit upfront with a bit of a hollow mid-palate and then a clean but simple finish. I set it aside for a bit and came back thirty mins later to what was more akin to a white burg with bubbles. The palate fleshed out with the fruit showing added layers (spiced apple and white peach), much more depth in the middle (honeyed citrus, sea salt) while the finish was delicate and clean. I don’t get any Selosse influence from a taste profile, but I do get the Selosse mindset of making a white wine first. For my tastes, this is an example where even 1-2g/l dosage could do wonders from a texture and broad shoulders standpoint to lengthen it out. That being said, I understand the goal for Travis to highlight site and purity. If opening soon, give it some air to wake up. Fun.
Jura-natty with impressive balance and acidity.
Jura-natty with impressive balance and acidity.
Sep 6th, 2025