When discussing the maturity of wine markets, Japan stands at the forefront in Asia. Local consumers are highly discerning—when buying wine, they don’t simply chase famous brands or regions. Instead, they rationally seek out value for money, adhering to the principle of “only settling for good wine.” Chateau Moulin Haut Laroque serves as the perfect example of this. Though not widely known, it possesses the qualities of a premium wine, and most importantly, it remains affordably priced, making it highly sought-after among Japanese wine lovers.

The popularity of this wine received an additional boost from the masterpiece The Drops of God, which significantly raised its profile. Whenever this wine is sold, the story is often told of how the owner, Jean-Noël Hervé, dismissed the importance of Robert Parker’s ratings, famously saying, “I can live happily even without high scores from Mr. Parker.”

However, if you visit the winery’s official website today, you’ll clearly see Robert Parker’s scores and tasting notes prominently displayed. One can’t help but wonder whether this shift reflects a change in approach brought by the younger generation, moving away from the old-school principles. Interestingly, 2012 was precisely the year when Thomas Hervé, the new generation (and a finance graduate ), officially joined the estate and began participating in its operations.