22 Jul Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Kanpai Wines Hi No Tori 2023 Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Meadowbrook Farm Estate, Napa Valley

As much as I love introducing my friends to new wines, I also love when they, especially those who are not in the wine industry, return the favor. A friend of mine, who is a big fan of rosé, insisted I try a wine she had fallen in love with. I love a good rosé wine, but when she told me it was a Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, I was intrigued. I typically gravitate toward rosés made with Rhône varieties, so this was not a style I would normally choose. But the label caught my eye, and she insisted I take a bottle home. And during the heat advisory this past week, I decided to open it with my favorite salad. From the first sip, I was won over, which is why the Kanpai Wines Hi No Tori Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Kanpai Wines

Kanpai Wines was founded by Peter Chiang and Azumi Kubo, whose love of food, hospitality, and wine inspired them to create wines designed to be enjoyed around the table. The name Kanpai, the Japanese word for “cheers,” reflects celebration, togetherness, and sharing life’s moments with family and friends.

Every wine they make begins with a simple question: How do we want to drink this wine? The answer shapes everything from the vineyard selection to the winemaking style, ensuring each bottle is crafted with food, place, and people in mind.

The estate is centered around Meadowbrook Farm, located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. For more than 30 years, this vineyard has produced premium Cabernet Sauvignon  grapes for some of Napa Valley’s most respected wines. The vineyard’s cooler climate within Napa Valley allows grapes to ripen while retaining freshness and balance, making it an ideal site not only for Cabernet Sauvignon but also for crafting a vibrant, textured rosé.

Kanpai’s wines are made by acclaimed Napa Valley winemaker Steve Matthiasson, whose thoughtful, restrained approach has earned him recognition as one of California’s leading voices in sustainable viticulture and balanced winemaking. Rather than pursuing power or excessive ripeness, Matthiasson focuses on freshness, site expression, and wines that naturally complement food. That philosophy is beautifully reflected in the Hi No Tori Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes

Hi No Tori, meaning “Bird of Fire” in Japanese, was the first wine released by Kanpai Wines. The origami phoenix featured on the label symbolizes rebirth following the devastating 2017 California wildfires, which occurred just months after Peter Chiang and Azumi Kubo moved to Napa Valley. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes as prayers during times of hardship, Hi No Tori has also become a symbol of giving back. Since its release, more than $140,000 from sales of the wine has been donated to California wildfire relief efforts.

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Hi No Tori Rosé opens with aromas of raspberry, stone fruit, and rose petals accented by subtle herbal notes. The palate is bright and refreshing with citrus zest, chalky minerality, and vibrant acidity balanced by a beautifully textured mid-palate. Elegant and versatile, it is a rosé that is equally enjoyable on its own or at the table.

Food Pairing

Whenever I visit my parents in the Valley, I pick up a Chinese chicken salad from Stanley’s Restaurant in Sherman Oaks. I have been eating this salad since I was in high school and still love it today. Crisp and fresh with shredded chicken, mandarin oranges, rice noodles, almond slivers, and a sweet, tangy sesame-ginger dressing, it proved to be the perfect match for this rosé. The wine’s bright acidity complemented the citrus and dressing, while its texture stood up beautifully to the richness of the chicken and crunchy toppings.

Where To Purchase

The Hi No Tori Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon retails for $30 and can be purchased directly from the Kanpai Wines website. Kanpai!