“The Château Cheval Blanc 2011 is a truly elegant and profound Bordeaux,” Yamashita says of this herbal, peppery red. “I recently enjoyed this bottle at a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo with a French friend who lives in Japan. Paired with sashimi, grilled fish, and delicate dashi-based dishes, it created a surprisingly perfect harmony. A wine that transforms an evening into something unforgettable.”

Wines from the celebrated Château Palmer—located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux—mix cabernet sauvignon and merlot with a hint of petit verdot. Their fruity, spicy notes evoke the rich, historic soil of the region. According to Yamashita, it’s “maternal kindness and grace in a glass. The gentle embrace of merlot melts straight into your heart.”

When it comes to bubblies, the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage is as classically glamorous as it gets. Part of the prestige comes from the fact that their champagnes are made with grapes from a single exceptional year. “It’s a true expression of vintage champagne that captivates everyone,” Yamashita says. “I enjoyed this at Moët’s own château—the very place where Napoleon is said to have fortified himself before battle.”

The Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny is “an intoxicating and delicate pinot noir,” Yamashita says. “A dangerously seductive wine that makes you fall in love at first sip.” Its notes are bright—citrus and flowers—yet there’s a respectable heft. Because this coveted label is rather rare, some bottles go for extraordinarily high prices (up to tens of thousands of dollars).

“Crafted by the legendary Lafon family, this Mâconnais white offers pure minerality, vibrant acidity, and refreshing aromas of citrus and white fruits,” Yamashita says in praise of the 2020 Clos de la Crochette. “I shared this bottle in Marseille with a producer friend and paired it with fresh oysters. The wine’s crisp precision lifted the briny sea breeze of the oysters beautifully—an unforgettable moment by the Mediterranean.”

The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Échezéaux 2015 is the bottle that made Yamashita truly fall in love with wine. He calls it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the ultimate red.” Its eccentric vibrancy comes from the five-decade-old vine fruits used. He adds, “A grand cru from the legendary DRC, bursting with red-fruit aromas, silky texture, and breathtaking balance. I opened this at home with friends recently, and it was pure magic.”

Many regard the Kongsgaard as “California’s greatest chardonnay,” a creamy, peachy, vanilla-y concoction that was introduced in 1996. One would be lucky to try a sip, though—these Napa treasures, especially the elite “The Judge” bottle, are hard to come by. Yamashita calls the Kongsgaard “a New World masterpiece. Extraordinary depth, intense minerality, and pristine acidity—a divine presence that rivals Montrachet itself. A New Year’s party treasure I will never forget.”

Part cabernet sauvignon, part merlot, with a dark tint and a floral yet smoky flavor, the 2000 Château d’Armailhac is a top recommendation from Yamashita. “Crafted by the Rothschild family, it offers mature black fruit, cedar, and earthy nuances with elegant power,” he says. “I enjoyed this with a French friend in Japan alongside a traditional duck dish. The rich fat of the duck intertwined beautifully with the wine’s tannins and fruit—a thrilling pairing.”

Yamashita calls these world-class cabernet sauvignons of California “the emperor of the New World.” Bill Harlan founded the estate in the 1980s with the goal of ranking with the world’s best wine producers, and his creations have earned a rabid fan base. “Monumental density, flawless structure, and a swirling storm of black fruit and spice—the pinnacle of cult wine,” Yamashita says. “I had the privilege of sharing this bottle with Mr. Don from Harlan Estate himself. Pure bliss.”