A taste that is not overly assertive but has a core – what Yasuhisa Hayashi pursues is a new Cabernet Sauvignon that combines fruit and elegance.
Based on the philosophy of "pursuing balanced and elegant wines, not just impressive wines with overpower", Hayashi insists on a limited production volume of only 150 cases per year, putting his soul into each bottle.
St. Helena, where Hayashi Wines is based, is the center of the Napa Valley, known as "this is truly Cabernet Land." Soils with good drainage pebbles and loam, as well as a climate with a large temperature difference between morning and evening, produce a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon with a good balance of fruit and acidity.
The forest is always facing the terroir, assessing the weather and fruit conditions of the year, and growing the grapes in a sustainable way. "I try not to put too much effort into it as much as possible, because I want to express the goodness of the grapes that come from the vineyard as it is," he says, which is also in line with the spirit of traditional Japan sake brewing.
The vinification process is uncompromising, with fermentation in closed stainless steel tanks, skin contact for approximately 33 days, and 20 months of aging in French oak barrels, to maximize the potential of Cabernet.