1. 1PublishedLe Pergole Torte 2001MontevertineThe red wine Homma presented as a candidate for the Second Apostle, featuring a female label design that changes annually, with complex and elegant aromas.A sip of passion hidden in the labelThis wine, Le Pergole Torte, is crafted by Montevertine, one of Tuscany's finest. You know what's cool? The label features a different woman's design every year, making it a piece of art before you even pop it open. The 2001 vintage is now in a perfect phase of maturity, sparking curiosity. In 'The Drops of God' manga, this wine makes an appearance in volume 8. It's the second Apostle candidate chosen by Honma, praised for its complex and elegant aroma—like a fine allure rising from the glass. The label’s woman design suits this vibe perfectly, hinting at something special even before you taste it. Pour it into a glass, and you'll notice a deep garnet color with a hint of a brick hue at the rim. On the nose, it's a rich mix of black cherries, interwoven with spices and a hint of tea, almost like being in a forest. Take a sip, and the tannins are velvety smooth, with a lively and robust acidity. It's full-bodied, with a perfect balance between the fruit sweetness and the acidity. The finish is long, letting you savor every moment. It’s complex yet tight, perfect for a special occasion. While you wait for the wine to open up, you might enjoy chatting about the woman on the label—there’s always something intriguing there.Read review→
2. 2PublishedChâteau Cos d'Estournel 1979Château Cos d'EstournelThe red wine Kawarage opened, known for its high Merlot content from Bordeaux's left bank, a masculine wine.A symphony of earth and aging. True strength.Château Cos d'Estournel from 1979, now that's a wine with a story to tell. Hailing from Saint-Estèphe, it's got that classic Bordeaux left bank feel, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot leading the charge. After 47 years in the bottle, it's right at its sweet spot for drinking. This one's a proud representative of what the left bank can offer. In volume 8, this wine makes its appearance when Kawarage decides to open a bottle of this masculine red. Bordeaux left bank wines with high Merlot content have a unique character, and this one showcases that beautifully. You crack it open, and you're immediately hit with its power and depth. Pour it out, and you’ll see that deep garnet color, with a hint of orange on the rim—showing its age nicely. The nose is intense, with rich black cherry and cassis aromas, mingling with tea and spicy notes. It's the kind of complexity that makes you keep going back to the glass for another sniff. On the palate, velvety tannins embrace you, while the smooth acidity lifts the fruitiness perfectly. The finish is long, leaving you with spicy and elegant oak flavors that linger. It's a wine that's both elegant and long-lasting, perfect for when you want to savor something truly special. Decanting it and serving in a large glass will really bring out its depth.Read review→
3. 3PublishedPavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2002Château MargauxThe red wine Shizuku and Miyabi brought as a gift for Natsuyagi, the second wine of Château Margaux.A delicate symphony from Château MargauxChâteau Margaux's Pavillon Rouge is really something special in Bordeaux. It's their second wine, made with grapes from the same vineyards as their grand vin, so you know the quality is top-notch. 2002 was a tricky year weather-wise, but this wine turns that challenge into something charming. In volume 8, there's a scene where Shizuku and Miyabi bring this red wine as a gift for Natsuhagi. It's shown as a wine worthy of those special occasions. Thinking about that scene just highlights the presence of this wine even more. Pour a glass and take a look. It has a deep garnet color with a slight brick edge—beautiful. When you take a sniff, you'll get a burst of black cherry and cassis fruit aromas, with a bit of spiciness sneaking in there. On the palate, it starts with rich fruit flavors, then lively acidity cleanses the palate. The tannins are velvety, giving it an incredibly smooth feel. You'll finish with a touch of earthiness and delicate acidity lingering, inviting you for another sip. It's perfectly at its peak right now, so it's a great time to open and enjoy it.Read review→
4. 4PublishedBroncone NVBronconeThe red wine Editor Nikaido brought as an image of the Mona Lisa, little known in Japan and even in Italy.A hidden gem in a bottleBroncone is this fascinating Italian red that's not widely known, even in Italy. There's something about opening a bottle with no vintage on the label—it feels like unwrapping a mystery every time. While there isn't a ton of info out there, it's definitely worth trying if you're up for discovering something unique. In Volume 8, this wine makes its appearance as something editor Nikaidou associates with the enigmatic allure of the Mona Lisa. It's intriguing to think of a wine being compared to such a masterpiece, right? Hardly known in Japan, it seems perfect for those special moments that call for a touch of mystery and elegance. Pour yourself a glass and take a look at that deep ruby color—it's stunning, isn't it? The aroma opens up beautifully, greeting you with ripe black cherry and cassis. It feels like you're smelling a basket full of rich fruits, immediately lifting your spirits with just a whiff. On the palate, this wine is robust yet carries a certain elegance. The tannins are dense and structured, spreading comfortably across your mouth. After the fruitiness, a rich finish lingers long, almost like you’re meandering through the lush Italian landscape. If you want to truly savor it, a larger glass would be just the thing to let it breathe and shine.Read review→
5. 5PublishedLoulan Wine NVLoulan WineThe red wine Laurent found in the ruins.The mystery of red found in ruinsThis wine was discovered in the historic ruins of Loulan, in China. There's something romantic about a red wine unearthed from such an ancient place, don't you think? It's not your everyday wine; its unique backstory makes it intriguing. In volume 8, this wine makes its appearance, and you can't help but wonder what it would be like to open it. Imagine the thrill Roland must have felt when he discovered it in the ruins. Don't you want to experience that same excitement by opening this bottle today? Pouring it into a glass reveals a deep ruby red color, giving off a rich impression. As you take a sniff, you'll notice the aromas of blackberries and ripe plums, quite pronounced. There's also a hint of spice and an earthy nuance, adding to its complex bouquet. On the palate, the tannins are firm yet fine-grained and smooth. The acidity is lively, which keeps the whole experience well-balanced. The finish leaves a pleasant acidic touch, inviting you to take another sip. It's a wine you'd want to savor slowly.Read review→
6. 6PublishedAlter Ego de Palmer 2000Château PalmerThe red wine Shizuku drank before the Second Apostle showdown, with the image of a mysterious woman standing in the spring light.A mysterious woman in the spring lightAlter Ego de Palmer 2000 is crafted by Château Palmer, a second wine that really stands out since its start in 1998. This bottle has Bordeaux tradition written all over it, with a beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's the kind of wine that tells you so much just by opening the bottle. It makes its appearance in Volume 8, where Shizuku chooses it before a showdown. It's like there's a mysterious woman standing in the spring light, and you can just feel that vibe from the wine. It's pretty fascinating how a wine can capture such a scene. Look at this color. With age, it's developed into a deep garnet with a touch of brick at the rim. The aromas burst out with blackberry and cassis, and there's a hint of tea and dried herbs in there too. When you taste it, the tannins are silky, spreading smoothly, and the acidity is lively, but not too much, keeping everything in balance. The finish is incredibly long and rich, which is why this wine comes off as elegant with an extended aftertaste. You might want to pour it into a large glass and let it breathe a bit, just to get the most out of it. It's really something special.Read review→
7. 7PublishedChâteau Palmer 2000Château PalmerThe candidate for the Second Apostle chosen by Shizuku, an excellent wine from a great vintage, embodying both the Mona Lisa and a masculine Da Vinci.The smile of the Mona Lisa in a bottleChâteau Palmer is one of those standout names in Bordeaux, known for its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The 2000 vintage is especially renowned, and there's a real reason why so many chase after wines from this year. When you pop open a bottle, it's like stepping back in time to experience something truly special. In volume 8, this wine is portrayed as having a mysterious charm, much like the Mona Lisa. It's chosen by Shizuku as a candidate for the second apostle, and they describe it as having the complexity akin to a male Da Vinci. When you taste this wine, you can really feel both sides of that comparison. Pour it into a glass, and you'll see a deep garnet color with a hint of orange at the rim. The aroma is rich with cassis and black cherry, layered with mature scents like tea leaves and sous-bois. On the palate, it delivers a smooth and lush fruitiness, with mellow acidity and velvety tannins coming together beautifully. It's got a solid body but surprises you with its elegance. The finish? It's wonderfully long. While you're drinking, the sweet fruit and complex nuances just keep going, leaving you wanting more. Make sure you take your time with it, maybe use a larger glass to let it breathe and reveal its full potential.Read review→
8. 8PublishedChâteau Palmer 1999Château PalmerThe Second Apostle chosen by Issei, the 'True Palmer' and the 'Second Apostle' chosen by the gods, a wine of the nurturing and healing Mona Lisa.The eternal Mona Lisa of winesSo, Château Palmer, have you heard of it? It's one of Bordeaux's greats, mainly using Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This 1999 vintage is particularly noteworthy, and it's just perfect to open now. You'll get to experience that classic Bordeaux style. In Volume 8, this wine is chosen by Shizuku as the "Second Apostle," and the description is quite striking. It's presented as a wine that brings the rejuvenation and healing like the motherly Mona Lisa. Even if you're not a wine expert, hearing such an expression makes it feel special, doesn't it? That's exactly the kind of presence Palmer has. Pour it into the glass—look at that deep ruby color. The aroma is open, with rich cassis and black cherry notes wafting up. There's a hint of spice, adding a layer of complexity beyond just fruitiness. In your mouth, the tannins are smooth and intricate, calmly spreading across your palate. The acidity is lively, giving the wine a strong structure overall. After you swallow, the finish lingers for a long time, leaving a complex array of flavors that gently fade away. To really enjoy it, you might want to decant it a bit and serve it at around 18°C. I'd recommend using a large glass to truly savor its depth.Read review→
9. 9PublishedCasamatta 2004Cantina Matta Bibi GraetzThe 100% Sangiovese red wine Homma brought, known for its consistent quality across vintages, with aromas of cashew, cocoa, thick black fruits, and truffle.Experience the essence of SangioveseYou know, Casamatta by Bibi Graetz is this really reliable red wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes in Tuscany. The folks at Cantina Matta are behind it, and they're known for producing wines that stay consistent across vintages. This 2004 vintage has aged for 22 years, making it just right for enjoying now. In volume 8, there's a scene where Honma brings this wine, talking about how it's great value for money and has a dependable taste. He mentioned the aroma of cashew nuts and cocoa, along with rich black fruits. It's the kind of wine that doesn't let the vintage differences affect its quality, just like Honma pointed out. When you pour a glass, you'll notice its deep garnet color, with a hint of brick around the edges. The aroma is intense with plum and black cherry, layered with a toasted hint of nuts and cocoa. On the palate, it bursts with rich fruit, the acidity is lively, and the tannins are dense but not overpowering. As you keep sipping, there's this earthy truffle note that lingers, adding a layer of complexity that keeps you coming back for more. The finish is long, leaving you wanting that next sip. Honestly, this is the kind of wine any wine lover would enjoy. Take your time with it, and it'll reward you.Read review→