Story

In 2009, “Y by YOSHIKI” was born as a collaborative project by renowned Japanese artist YOSHIKI and Napa Valley winemaker and 4th generation vintner, Rob Mondavi Jr. The grapes are sourced from premium vineyards across California and express the artistry, quality and creativity of this unique partnership. This California series is described by YOSHIKI as “smart casual” that is not only for wine lovers but also fits in with your everyday lifestyle.

In 2020, there were many large-scale wildfires in California. Due to smoke damage to the vineyards, Rob Mondavi Jr. decided not to produce the Y by YOSHIKI Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 vintage. Instead, he was able to source and secure more 2019 vintage wines and together with YOSHIKI, they were able to complete a second 2019 vintage. As a symbol to their success to produce another vintage of the 2019, they have decided to name this wine “Encore”.

The Growing Season

2019 market yet another remarkable growing season for all of California. Classic sunshine and a tiny amount of rain in the early season established a soil moisture content base perfect for a small and tremendously high quality crop. Spring was tepid and the summer and fall were hot allowing for the perfect goring season.

The Winemaking Process

The grapes are night harvested to preserve the freshness of the grape’s natural acidity. When the grapes arrive to the winery they are removed from the stems and gently transferred into the tanks where fermentation begins. At the end of fermentation the grapes are them pressed and moved to small Oak Barrels where they rest, age and develop the amazing flavors and textures.

The Wine

The wine has tremendous aromatics of fresh dark fruits; plums, blackberry, huckleberry and remarkable spice from the barrels of vanilla, toffee and hazelnuts. The aging of the wine and wonderful fruit combine to yield and exceptionally smooth and full bodied red wine.