1. 1PublishedChâteau Branaire-Ducru 1982Château Branaire-DucruA wine that inspired Miyabi to become a sommelier, with a glycerin-like richness blending seamlessly with the sweetness of black fruits like blueberries, making it endlessly drinkable.A rich sip that transcends time.Château Branaire-Ducru, nestled in Bordeaux's Saint-Julien, is known for crafting some amazing red wines with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The 1982 vintage is particularly famous for showing off its long aging potential. In volume 10 of 'The Drops of God,' it's highlighted as the wine that inspired Miyabi to pursue a career as a sommelier. Remember how it's described? Like glycerin merging with the sweetness of blueberries and other dark fruits, making it incredibly easy to drink. When you pour it, you'll see this beautiful brick color from the aging. The aroma is open, with blackcurrant and plum, plus hints of tea and underbrush. Taking a sip, you get a rich and mellow fruitiness, with vibrant acidity keeping it all in harmony. The tannins are silky smooth, softened by age, and the finish is long, revealing new layers with each taste. This wine is elegant with a long finish, perfect to enjoy at about 16–18°C in a slightly larger glass.Read review→
2. 2PublishedChâteau Lafite Rothschild NVChâteau Lafite RothschildA wine Shizuku compared to Nanami Matsushita, like a mysterious, beautiful castle standing with closed gates in the mist.A castle shrouded in mysteryChâteau Lafite Rothschild, from the Médoc region in Bordeaux, is one of those legendary wineries. They craft complex and rich red wines, mainly using Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This particular bottle carries a piece of history and tradition, and every time you open it, you get a taste of that depth. In 'The Drops of God', this wine appears in Volume 10. It's likened to Nanami Matsushita by Shizuku, described as a mysterious and beautiful castle standing in the mist, with its gates closed. Initially, it might feel a bit reserved, but as it unfolds, you start to sense its elegance and complexity. The wine has a deep ruby color, and when you tilt the glass, you’ll notice its impressive viscosity. The aroma is rich with blackberry and cassis, layered with a woody cedar note. On the palate, the tannins are strong and present, yet the lively acidity keeps everything in harmonious balance. The finish is exceptionally long, leaving the flavors lingering in your mouth long after you’ve swallowed. It's a wine that offers a complex and rich experience, perfect for savoring during special moments. I’d recommend enjoying it with a larger glass to truly appreciate its depth and character.Read review→
3. 3PublishedChâteau Quinault L'Enclos 2001Château Quinault L'EnclosA wine being tasted by Issei and Laurent when Sara visited.A glass where tradition meets innovationChâteau Quinault L'Enclos from 2001 is a Bordeaux red that’s really something special. It's mainly Merlot, and you can feel both the classic Bordeaux tradition and a bit of modern flair in there. Given its 25-year age, it's fascinating to see how time has evolved its character. This wine makes an appearance in volume 10 of 'Kami no Shizuku', when Sara visits and Shizuku and Laurent are tasting it. The way they react to the wine is quite something, and it makes you want to try it for yourself. Watching their tasting session, you can feel their passion for wine, which really makes you curious about the flavors. When you pour it into the glass, you see this deep garnet color with a hint of orange at the rim. The aroma is a beautiful mix of ripe plums and black cherries, with subtle hints of spice and tea. On the palate, the tannins are soft and integrated, while the solid acidity keeps it all in balance. The fruitiness is rich, spreading luxuriously across your tongue. The finish is long, leaving a complex taste lingering in your mouth that makes you want another sip. With 25 years of aging behind it, this wine carries a depth that's best enjoyed in a large glass, letting it breathe as you savor it slowly.Read review→
4. 4PublishedGevrey-Chambertin V.V. Aux Corvées 2001Domaine GuillardA wine Nanami Matsushita drank with her past lover Hibiki; reminiscent of a morning in a small log cabin in the highlands, with the scent of orange, raspberry, and tea, evoking bygone youth.Relive youthful aromas with a sipDomaine Guillard makes some fine Pinot Noir in Burgundy's Gevrey-Chambertin, and this Gevrey-Chambertin V.V. Aux Corvées is no exception. They use grapes from particularly old vines, which give this wine a deep, nuanced flavor. The 2001 vintage is perfect for a special evening, you know? This wine pops up in volume 10 of 'The Drops of God,' where Nanami Matsushita drinks it with Hibiki. Picture a small log cabin in the highlands, morning light filtering in, and scents of orange, raspberry, and tea swirling around. It's like a whiff of youthful memories, right? That setting makes the wine feel even more special when you sip it. Pour this into a glass, and you'll see a deep ruby color with an orange-brick hue at the rim, showing off its 25 years of aging. The aroma's open, with intertwining notes of orange peel, raspberry, and a hint of tea. Take a sip, and you'll experience rich acidity and velvety tannins, all wrapped up in a smooth body. The fruit sweetness spreads across your palate, with the acidity keeping it all in check. The finish is long, with complex spices emerging subtly, like capturing a fleeting moment of youth in a glass. It's the kind of wine you'd want to savor quietly on a special night.Read review→
5. 5PublishedChâteau Pétrus 1970Château PétrusA great vintage wine Shizuku was given by Kurokawa, likened to a luxury cruise ship.The timeless elegance of 1970.Château Pétrus 1970, it's like the crown jewel of Bordeaux, really. Made entirely from Merlot, this one's known to shine with age. Among Bordeaux's finest, it has a reputation that's cherished by wine lovers worldwide. In 'Drops of God', volume 10, there's this scene on a luxury cruise ship where Shizuku shares a glass of this Pétrus with Kurokawa. It perfectly accentuates the grandeur of the setting, capturing the depth of a Great Vintage. The calmness of the ship complements the profound experience of tasting this wine. When you tilt the glass, you'll catch its soft brick-red glimmer. As for the aroma, it's open and filled with hints of tea, underbrush, and dried herbs, showcasing the complexity that comes with age. On the palate, it's velvety, with tannins that wrap gently around your tongue. The acidity is rich, maintaining a beautiful harmony. You get nuances of black cherry and prune, with an elegance that's unforgettable. The finish is long and complex—it's like time stands still. It's elegant and balanced, making it perfect for a special occasion or to share with someone important. You don't really need to decant it, but enjoying it in a larger glass at a leisurely pace is the way to go.Read review→
6. 6PublishedClos Vougeot Le Grand Maupertui 2001Anne GrosA wine drunk by Issei and Sara during a meal, known for its flawless and modern character across all vintages.Taste the essence of BurgundySo, Anne Gros' Clos Vougeot Le Grand Maupertui from 2001 is quite a treat if you're into Burgundy wines. It's crafted entirely from Pinot Noir, and she really knows how to bring out the best of this grape in a modern yet structured style. This bottle is known for its consistent quality across vintages. In the tenth volume of 'The Drops of God', you see Shizuku and Sarah enjoying this wine over a meal. They were really into it, appreciating its modern elegance and the fact that it never disappoints, regardless of the vintage. That's saying something, right? When you pour it, you'll notice this beautiful garnet color with a hint of brick around the edges—quite enticing. The aroma is just bursting with black cherry and raspberry, almost like you're surrounded by fresh fruit. There's a lovely complexity too, with hints of undergrowth and tea leaves adding depth. Take a sip, and you'll feel the rich fruitiness first, followed by a taut acidity that gives the wine a nice backbone. The tannins are velvety, providing a solid structure without being overwhelming. The finish lingers on with soft spice notes, making it feel both concentrated and elegant. I think you'd really enjoy it. Just serve it at around 14-18°C in a decent-sized glass, and you'll really get the most out of it.Read review→
7. 7PublishedChâteau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 1985Château Grand-Puy-LacosteA wine given by Mishima to Shizuku and Miyabi, two bottles of the same vintage yet placed in different flows of time.A duel of time in a bottleChâteau Grand-Puy-Lacoste is one of those legendary names from Pauillac in Bordeaux, mainly using Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. That 1985 vintage? It's like opening a time capsule, and you're in for a treat with all those years of bottle age adding depth. In volume 10, there's that scene where Mishima shares this wine with Shizuku and Miyabi. Remember? Two bottles from the same vintage, yet they seemed to have aged in completely different timelines. It was fascinating to see their distinct personalities shining through. Pour it in the glass, and you'll notice that deep ruby color with hints of brick at the rim. On the nose, it's all open and expressive with rich black cherries and dried plums. Take a deeper sniff, and you'll find those complex cigar box and toasted notes weaving through, really drawing you in. When you taste it, there's a lively acidity that hits first, followed by tannins that are dense and pleasing. The finish lingers beautifully, leaving a subtle spice on your palate. With such depth and complexity, enjoying this wine in a larger glass really lets it breathe and unfold its story.Read review→
8. 8PublishedBarolo Marasco Franco M. Martinetti 2000Franco M. MartinettiA wine brought by Honma to the wine business department, made from local Nebbiolo grapes.A touch of Piedmont's soulYou know, Franco M. Martinetti's 2000 Barolo Marasco is all about showcasing the beauty of Nebbiolo from Piedmont. This wine's been aging gracefully, bringing out all the depth and elegance Barolo's known for. It's like opening a time capsule of this iconic region. In volume 10, this wine makes its appearance, brought in by Honma to the wine division. He picked this special bottle, crafted from the local Nebbiolo grape, to showcase its unique charm. You can just imagine how he wanted to share the distinct character of Nebbiolo with everyone there. Pour yourself a glass and check out the color—it's got this lovely orange-tinged garnet hue from all those years of aging. The aroma hits you with dried figs and plums, and there's this hint of tea and underbrush. It’s the kind of scent that just pulls you in. Take a sip, and you’ll feel the juicy acidity giving it life, while the velvety tannins provide a solid backbone. It's this balance that makes it so irresistible. The finish is long and complex, leaving you wanting more and more. Honestly, serving it slightly cool at around 16°C and letting it breathe can really bring out its best.Read review→
9. 9PublishedChâteau Margaux 1945Château MargauxA wine likened to the old Mikasa Hotel in Karuizawa, an aged wine from a prestigious chateau, past its prime yet carrying the brilliance of its peak like a mirage.Timeless elegance in a bottleOpening a 1945 Château Margaux isn't just about uncorking an old bottle; it's about experiencing a legendary Bordeaux from a year that marked the end of World War II. This wine, with its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is a testament to the grandeur of this iconic estate. In 'The Drops of God' volume 10, this wine is compared to the old Mikasa Hotel in Karuizawa—a metaphor for a grand old vintage carrying the echoes of its prime. It's past its peak, yet it holds onto its former brilliance with a kind of ephemeral charm. Take a look at it in the glass; you'll see a deep garnet color with a hint of brick at the rim, evidence of its 80-plus years of aging. Bring it to your nose, and you'll catch whiffs of black cherry and cassis, then it unfolds into layers of mature scents like tea, tobacco, and dried herbs. It's like the aroma tells a story—layered and complex. When you sip it, there's a lively acidity that keeps it fresh, and the tannins have melted into a silky texture. The body is rich, gently coating your tongue, and the finish just goes on and on. It's like tasting a piece of history. If you're serving it, a bit of decanting and a large glass would be perfect to savor its depth.Read review→
10. 10PublishedChâteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne V.V. NVChâteau de BeaucastelA wine served by architect Tomioka to Shizuku and others at a restaurant in Karuizawa, paired with lobster terrine; likened to a music box, reminiscent of Brahms' lullaby.A symphony of flavors—like Brahms on a quiet nightChâteau de Beaucastel crafts this Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne V.V., and it's all about using those old Roussanne vines to create something truly special. Beaucastel has this knack for blending innovation with tradition, and you can really taste their expertise in this bottle. In Volume 10 of 'Kami no Shizuku,' this wine makes its appearance when architect Tomioka treats Shizuku and the gang at a Karuizawa restaurant. Paired with a lobster terrine, the wine is described as calming, like a Brahms lullaby. It's that kind of elegant experience that the wine brings to the table. When you look at it, this wine shines with a golden hue. On the nose, it opens up with these vibrant pear and white peach aromas, and there's a hint of spice that adds layers of complexity. Take a sip, and you'll find a creamy texture with a robust acidity that balances all that richness beautifully. The finish is impressively long, letting those complex flavors unfold slowly with each sip. I'd say serve it at around 10-12°C, and use a slightly larger glass. It's perfect for those special moments you want to savor with friends.Read review→