1. 1PublishedCharmes-Chambertin 2003Philippe PacaletA wine drunk by Issei and Laurent in a room, evoking the image of a Katsushika Hokusai painting, made with biodynamic methods.A sip that echoes Hokusai's artPhilippe Pacalet is a passionate winemaker in Burgundy who embraced biodynamic methods wholeheartedly. This 2003 Charmes-Chambertin, made entirely from Pinot Noir, is a bottle that promises something special after all these years of aging. It's the kind of wine you want to open on a special occasion because it's filled with both tradition and innovation. Remember the scene in volume 12 where Shizuku and Laurent were drinking this wine in a room? It was like they were surrounded by the aura of a Hokusai painting. Just seeing the label brings back that scene, and tasting it deepens that artistic feeling. When you pour it into a glass, you'll notice its deep ruby color with a slightly orange-tinted rim. The aroma bursts with rich notes of black cherry and plum, with hints of tea and sous-bois, revealing the depths of its aging. It's the kind of complexity that only time can bring. On the palate, the wine offers lush fruitiness with smooth acidity, and the tannins are velvety, gently lingering on your tongue. It has a solid structure, and you can really savor the long finish. I'd serve it at around 18°C, maybe let it settle a bit before pouring, to really let its charm shine.Read review→
2. 2PublishedKrug Rosé NVKrugA wine prepared by Issei for a business dinner, with fine mousse-like bubbles and a wild yet exhilarating aroma reminiscent of raspberries.Delight in mousse-like bubbles and wild berry aromasKrug Rosé is something special from the Champagne region. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, showcasing Krug’s craft and passion. If you want to experience their unique style, this rosé is a must-try. In volume 12, Ichisei brought it for a business dinner. As you pour it, you can see the fine, mousse-like bubbles rising, like watching a delicate dance. The aroma is wild yet exhilarating, reminiscent of freshly picked raspberries from the forest. This bottle really sets the scene with its lively character. When you tilt the glass, you’ll notice its elegant salmon pink hue, and those tiny bubbles are impressive. Bring it to your nose, and you’re hit with vibrant scents of raspberries and cherries, with a hint of spice and toast. Taking a sip, the initial attack is soft, spreading the pleasant sweetness of fruit across your palate. The acidity is lively, refreshing your mouth with a crisp finish. The finish is long, leaving a sense of depth within its lightness. This Krug Rosé embodies elegance, making it the perfect choice for a special occasion.Read review→
3. 3PublishedRichebourg 1997Mongeard-MugneretA wine served by Issei at a business dinner; although deteriorated, careful decanting and time revealed its strength to overcome slight heat damage.Aged elegance from Burgundy's finestMongeard-Mugneret's 1997 Richebourg is like the essence of Burgundy's Pinot Noir, you know? The land of Burgundy nurtures it, and it's filled with the passion of the Mongeard-Mugneret family, who've been at this for ages. This vintage, in particular, has got people talking. In the 12th volume of 'Drops of God,' Shizuku brings this wine to a business dinner. It initially seemed a bit heat-affected, but after decanting and giving it some time, it showed off a strength that defied that initial impression. It was like the wine was proving its worth, reclaiming its true character over time. Tilt your glass, and you'll see that brick-red rim, hinting at its age. The aroma—it's got layers of tea, dried herbs, and that sous-bois complexity that just pulls you in. On the palate, it opens with a generous fruitiness, followed by a robust yet smooth acidity that's really pleasant. And then those velvety tannins come through. It's got a solid structure, with fruit, acidity, and tannins all in perfect harmony. The finish is long, allowing you to savor it lingeringly. This is the kind of wine you want to enjoy in a proper glass, slowly. Serving it at a slightly cooler 14–16°C really brings out the aromas, and you'll see that decanting really does make a difference.Read review→
4. 4PublishedÜrziger Würzgarten 2004Christoffel ErbenA wine drunk by Issei and Laurent at the airport, becoming sweeter with delay; an ice wine.Discover the sweetness withinChristoffel Erben's 2004 Ürziger Würzgarten is a classic Mosel sweet wine, showcasing its late harvest style. This vintage is particularly special, with grapes harvested late to capture that signature sweetness. The ice wine style really shines through, thanks to the cold climate which enhances the fruit’s concentration. Remember that scene in volume 12 where Shizuku and Laurent were enjoying this wine at the airport? They were amazed at how the wine's sweetness deepened over time, like a magical transformation in a bottle. It's a wine that speaks to you as it evolves. When you tilt the glass, you'll notice its rich golden hue, with a hint of orange at the rim, showing its age beautifully. The aroma is complex, bursting with honey, ripe apricots, and a subtle touch of dry herbs. On the palate, it's luscious and sweet, but the lively acidity keeps it from being cloying. That freshness balances the sweetness perfectly. The finish is long, with a gentle mineral undertone that adds depth. It's a wine that invites contemplation. Serve it slightly chilled and savor it slowly.Read review→
5. 5PublishedAlmaviva 1996AlmavivaA wine spilled by Issei on Maki, resembling blood; intense and fiery like flames, vivid like living blood and raw meat.Taste the passion of the South American redsAlmaviva 1996 is a special creation born from the collaboration of Chile and France. This bottle, the debut vintage, brought a fresh breeze into the wine world. After nearly 30 years of aging, it still holds its powerful charm and captivating presence. Remember that scene in Volume 12 where Shizuku poured it on Maki? The way the wine flowed, it was like blood—so intense and fiery. That raw energy still bursts out when you open this bottle. It's like a roaring flame, raw and intense, just looking at it gives you a sense of its strength. The color is deep red with a hint of orange on the rim, showing signs of its matured depth. The aroma is led by black cherries, with layers of dried plums and sous-bois complexity. When you take a sip, dense fruit flavors unfold first, followed by well-structured tannins that spread smoothly across your palate. These tannins are velvety, elegantly settling in your mouth. The acidity is strong yet rounded, enhancing the fruit's sweetness perfectly. The finish is long, with smoky oak nuances lingering on. It reveals new dimensions over time, especially if you enjoy it slowly. Serving it around 18°C and letting it breathe a bit will truly let it shine.Read review→
6. 6PublishedChambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses NVDomaine Comte Georges de VogüéA wine Kido was looking at online.A romance in a bottleChambolle-Musigny's 'Les Amoureuses' from Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé is a Pinot Noir that's truly something special, you know? Nestled in the heart of Burgundy, this wine is a real gem for anyone who loves the elegance and finesse that the region is known for. It's like holding a piece of Burgundy's soul in your glass. This wine makes an appearance in Volume 12, where Kido stumbles upon it online. Imagine the intrigue and allure he felt just seeing it there. It's one thing to read about a wine, but experiencing it firsthand is another story entirely. Pour it into your glass, and you'll see it glows with a beautiful ruby hue, slightly translucent. The aroma is a delightful mix of ripe strawberries and violets—it's fresh yet has a comforting depth to it. When you take a sip, the fruitiness bursts with richness, and the acidity is lively yet gentle. The tannins are velvety, spreading smoothly across your palate. The finish is long and leaves the memory of its aroma and taste lingering. It makes you want to savor a moment of tranquility. Enjoying this slightly chilled with a good friend sounds perfect, don't you think?Read review→
7. 7PublishedCanneto 2003D'AngeloA wine brought by Honma as a candidate to pair with Korean cuisine.Explore the depths of BasilicataHey, have you tried D'Angelo's Canneto? It's this robust red wine from Basilicata in southern Italy, made entirely from Aglianico grapes. The volcanic soil there gives the grapes a lot of character, so you're looking at a wine that's both powerful and deep. The 2003 vintage has been aging beautifully, and it's really something special. This wine pops up in volume 12 of 'The Drops of God,' where it's chosen to pair with Korean cuisine. Can you imagine? It’s got this boldness that stands up to spicy dishes, which is not something every wine can do. It's interesting how it manages to complement the flavors without getting overshadowed. When you pour it in the glass, you notice this deep, brick-red color with some serious legs—definitely looks like a well-aged red. Take a sniff, and you'll be hit by these intense aromas of plum and blackberry, with hints of black tea and dried herbs adding complexity. It's like a whole bouquet of rich scents. And when you taste it, oh man, there's this lush sweetness from the black fruits that comes through first. Then, those tannins kick in—firm and structured. The acidity is smooth, balancing everything out nicely, and the finish just lingers on and on. It's got a full body and a complexity that makes you want to savor it slowly, letting every sip unfold.Read review→
8. 8PublishedHéritage NVSanta DucA wine brought by Shizuku as a candidate to pair with Korean cuisine.A taste of Rhône's radiant sunSanta Duc's Héritage is one of those reds that truly captures the essence of the southern Rhône. It's mainly made from Grenache and Syrah, showcasing the robust character of grapes basked in the Rhône sun. Santa Duc, known for its reputation in Gigondas, pours its heart and soul into this wine. In 'Drops of God' Volume 12, this wine makes an appearance as Shizuku brings it to pair with Korean cuisine. It sounds surprising, huh? But the depth of this wine complements the spicy dishes beautifully. I remember that scene where the flavors danced together on the palate—it was quite the experience. Pour it into a glass, and you'll be greeted by a deep ruby red color, rich and inviting as the light reflects through it. The aroma leaps out with ripe blackberry and black cherry, accompanied by a subtle spiciness that really teases the senses. When you take a sip, you'll notice the firm tannins right away, but they're beautifully balanced by the rich fruit flavors. The acidity is smooth, making the whole experience remarkably harmonious. The finish lingers with notes of spice and herbs, offering something new with each sip. Decanting it beforehand really opens up its complexity, so give it a try!Read review→
9. 9PublishedClos de Vougeot 1997Jean-Jacques ConfuronA wine drunk by Shizuku at the airport, overflowing with rich, sweet fruitiness yet elegant with a long, poignant finish, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's classic film 'Roman Holiday'.An elegant dance of fruit and finesse.Let's pop open this Jean-Jacques Confuron's Clos de Vougeot, shall we? It's one of those Burgundies where the 1997 vintage really sings. You know, the time it's spent aging has really brought out its character, so now's the perfect moment to enjoy it. This wine makes an appearance in 'The Drops of God,' volume 12, where Shizuku tastes it at the airport. He described it as having the elegance and lingering nostalgia of "Roman Holiday." It's got that unforgettable finish that leaves a sweet, lingering impression, just like a classic movie moment. Take a look at the color first. It's got this deep, brick-red hue that's totally captivating. When you take a sniff, the aroma just opens up, flooding your senses with ripe dark cherries and plums—like a fruit medley in a glass. And when you sip it, those smooth yet powerful tannins wrap around your tongue. The acidity is refined, complementing the overall balance beautifully. The finish is long, with a fruity sweetness and a hint of spice that just keeps you coming back for more. I'd say serve it in a large glass to really let it breathe. This wine is all about elegance, and it's worth taking your time to savor every drop.Read review→
10. 10PublishedHaut-Carles 2001Château de CarlesA wine whose aroma Shizuku sensed on the plane, featuring ripe plums, cocoa, and new oak Merlot.A symphony of ripe plums and cocoa delightChâteau de Carles' 2001 Haut-Carles is a gem from Bordeaux, packed with all the region's charm. It's primarily Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. When you think Bordeaux, you think of deep flavors and rich history, right? This 2001 vintage is at a perfect stage of maturity to enjoy. This wine appears in Volume 12 of 'The Drops of God', where Shizuku experiences its aroma on a plane. Imagine that special space—you know, where ripe plum sweetness mixes with the depth of cocoa and a hint of new oak. Drinking it while recalling that scene makes it even more special. Pour a glass and look at that deep garnet hue—it's got that matured vibe going on. The aroma is open and expansive, with ripe plums and cocoa meeting hints of vanilla and spice from the oak. Take a sip, and the full-bodied fruitiness fills your palate, while the firm but smooth tannins linger on your tongue. The acidity is strong, tying everything together nicely, and the finish is long, letting you enjoy the aftertaste for a good while. With its mature complexity, every sip offers something new. I'd say enjoy this at around 18°C in a slightly larger glass to get the most out of it.Read review→
11. 11PublishedChâteau Latour 1988Château LatourA wine drunk by Issei and Laurent in a limousine, grand and solemn like the layered melodies of an orchestra.A timeless grandeur in a bottleChâteau Latour is one of those legendary Bordeaux wines that really stands out. The 1988 vintage captures the essence of their vineyards, predominantly made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. You can taste the deep richness and strength these grapes bring. In the 12th volume of 'Drops of God', Yutaka and Laurent enjoy this wine in a limousine. They talk about its grand and majestic nature, comparing it to the layered melodies of an orchestra. That scene really shows how special this wine is. When you pour it, you see this beautiful deep ruby color. The nose is a mix of blackcurrant, plums, and a hint of dried herbs, offering a complex yet elegant aroma. Take a sip, and you'll experience a lush fruitiness followed by dense tannins that make their presence known. The acidity is strong and keeps everything well-balanced. The finish is long, with spicy notes lingering on. It's the kind of wine that you want to enjoy slowly in a larger glass, ideally at around 16°C. You’ll definitely appreciate the layers and depth it offers.Read review→