One of our most memorable new additions from last year is back: Osamu Uchida.

He's one of a rare set of Bordeaux producers that transcends regional expectations, putting terroir and philosophy over rigid styles. The result is a very pure expression of Bordeaux, high thread counts with a freshness seldom seen on the left bank.

This release expands the lineup with three new red cuvées and the return of his macerated white, all of which should appeal to lovers of richly textured, thought-provoking natural wine. Hot take: Bordeaux is for everyone ❤️🔥 Notes below.

Osamu Uchida followed his gut (and his heart) to Bordeaux.

Originally from Japan and the son of a wine merchant, he moved to France to explore the country’s wines and serendipitously found himself staying at a left bank estate (Domaine du Haut Brugas, which has sold since). It was here that Osamu was first exposed to natural winemaking, a jumping off point to working in Côte-Rôtie at Clusel-Roch, in Banyuls at Vial-Magnères, in Bordeaux at L’Arrivée Haut-Brion; and oenology school to top up.

After all of his travels and learnings, he landed confidently back in Bordeaux in 2006, buying a tiny home in Pauillac (technically on Mouton-Rothschild’s property!).

In nearby Cissac-Medoc, he farms four unique sites:

- A small plot of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, in a 15 year old site on clay and limestone

- His 'Miracle' parcel, a forested site of 50 year old Cabernet Sauvignon in lieu-dit 'Linas,' with 15 inches of sandy top soil over clay and limestone

- A parcel in lieu-dit 'Stade' with 50-80 year old Merlot planted in clay and limestone, featured in this vintage's new cuvée 'Venus'

- A fascinating parcel in lieu-dit 'Reynats' consisting of 70% Carmenere and 30% "forgotten varieties" – Castets, Fer Servadou, Gascon, Bequignol, and "Inconnu" (unidentifiable) varieties – blended in a new cuvée 'Circus'.

Overall, Osamu has grown his holdings to 2.2ha and locked in a gentle philosophy in the cellar: all the wines are hand destemmed, with reds macerating for 2 weeks at cool temperature before pressing. They’re raised in a mixture of tank, old wood and terracotta; eventually bottled without fining or filtration and, depending on the cuvee, no-to-low sulfur.

The style is polished, with great depth of flavor – soft-fruited, umami, and quietly so special.

2023 Osamu Uchida 'Phéromone' Style Bois VDF, $70
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sauvignon Gris with a few hours of skin contact, followed by native fermentation and four months aging on the lees (with battonage) in a mix of new barrique, sandstone amphora, and stainless steel. The addition of wood is new this vintage, for a style that matches freshness with texture and length.

2023 Osamu Uchida 'Miracle' Haut-Médoc, $85
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, destemmed and macerated for two weeks with pigeage. Native fermentation followed by aging one year in 500L barrique and sandstone amphora.

2022 Osamu Uchida 'La Venus' Haut-Médoc, $150
100% Merlot, destemmed and macerated for a full month with two pigeages per day. Aged two years in 500L barrique. Just 600 bottles produced.

2023 Osamu Uchida 'Circus' Haut-Médoc, $100
70% Carmenere, 30% a mix of Bequignol, Fer Servadou, Sauvignonasse, Castets, and Gascon. Destemmed and macerated for a full month with pigeage, followed by native yeast fermentation and aging in a mix of 500L barrique and 225L new barrique.

SHOP UCHIDA