New Store Arrivals – Dassai, Tsuchida, Oze, Seitoku, Ryujin
From Yamaguchi Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo Sparkling. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this newly renamed sparkling sake has a clever collection of grape, melon, rice, apple, and cream aromas. Say Goodbye to Dassai Sparkling 50 and say hello to Sparkling 45, yet another Daiginjo from this ultra popular sake brewery. Lively, zesty, bubbly, bright and creamy this sake excels in a Champagne flute. Is it trying to be “like champagne”? No, not at all, because it’s made with the best sake brewing rice called Yamadanishiki, and it’s sake! But it has many similarities in taste and feel. There are lots of small gentle bubbles and a semi-dry fluid that lifts up in the glass and palate. Look for grape, pear, apple, orange, and whipping cream flavors that drink juicy and effervescently. This is not a super sweet sparkling brew, and actually is on the more creamy and soft side. It definitely pairs well with Champagne fare, and is a great way to start a meal. WORD: Light WINE: Sparkling wines BEER: Creamy ales FOODS: Champagne fare, cheese and meat plates, appetizers, shellfish, passed fare. $18/360ml
From Gunma Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Kimoto. SMV: -2.7 Acidity: 2.3
The nose on this extremely unique and very drinkable pole-rammed traditionally made sake has a stunning nose filled with cherry, Oak, lemon peel, ocean water, sugar, and nutty aromas. First, let’s get nerdy! This is probably the softest and smoothest sake that you will ever taste with an acidity level of 2.3! Where did the acidity go? You simply cannot taste or feel this very high level, and it might have something to do with the low ABV of 14% or with the fact that it’s built on the sweeter side that actually doesn’t drink all that sweet. Is it the local Gunma eating rice? Is it the Kimoto magic? Whatever it is, this sake is a tasty lesson in a glass, because it shows you how good brewing can make great sake. Look for loads of gentle flavors like honeydew melon, Asian pear, white grapes, bamboo, and spring water. The other awesome quality is that the overall smoothness has body, which makes this brew slippery, silky, and juicy as if it’s a water play. This is very noticeable when warming this subtle beast, because it creates a soft and gently sweet warm sake experience. Refreshing sake that is like a master class in the glass. WORD: Soft WINE: Merlot/Plump Whites BEER: Light Beer FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, pub fare, salty, savory, and steamed fish and veggies. $42/720ml
From Gunma Prefecture. Aged Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: -1 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this Junmai Daiginjo that was aged for over 6 years is an awesome collection of chocolate covered cherries, honey, trail mix, melon, wood, and wet wool aromas. Say hello to a sake that is not only delicious but a great guide to the wonders of the sake world. In a word it’s an elegant aged sake (Koshu) that is complex and very drinkable, almost Koshu-Light. But it’s also a Junmai Daiginjo that drinks smooth, round and rich with a bevy of flavors such as honeycomb, brown sugar, toasted rice, butterscotch, cereal, cooked apples, and whipping cream. As it’s more chilled, it drinks like a Daiginjo, and when it warms up, all of the Koshu action comes out with lots of smokiness and umami. If you like Koshu you will love the buoyant and elegant nature of this aged sake. And if you’re new to “rested” sake, then this is a perfect sake to practice on. WORD: Exceptional WINE: Deep Reds/Complex Whites BEER: Belgian Ales FOODS: Smoked meats and fowl, cheese boards, complex pastas, fish stews, steak and chops. $85/720ml
From Gunma Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Genshu. SMV: + 3 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this undiluted “genshu” sake is a great collection of cocoa, pear, seawater, cedar, honey, grape, blueberry, banana bread, anise, and herbal aromas.
Using two different brewing yeasts (1801 & 901), Gohyakumangoku rice milled to 50%, and with an ABV of 17%, this superstar sake is smooth, round, silky, and rich. But is it? Is it rich? It tastes rich and full-bodied but drinks light for so much action, and that is a really cool brewing technique. A rich sake that drinks rich light. Look for apple pie, pear compote, sweet daikon, rock candy, whipping cream, maple candy, lychee, nougat, and oatmeal flavors with a dry finish. Talk about a fun sake that has lots of umami as it warms in the glass and a playfulness that keeps you guessing. A great brew that excels in harmony and balance. WORD: Rich Light WINE: Smooth Reds/Creamy Whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Salty and savory fare, clams, fried small fish, egg custard. $36/720ml
From Gunma Prefecture. Ginjo Genshu Namazume. SMV: -2 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this single-pasteurized cask strength sake is a very cool collection of plum, cherry, lemon muffin, papaya, bubblegum, banana bread, and herbal aromas. Talk about a sake with a big personality, this Dragon God is it! Big and fruity this brew drinks chunky, fat, chewy, lively, and rich. But can a big and fruity sake be balanced? Yes, in a big way. This brew is more like a bite than a sip as you literally chew off an abundance of sweet flavors such as mango, papaya, white peach, pear juice, grape, and fruit muffin. And yet, it’s so balanced and that is why this brew is superb for those who like a big mouth feel and a stunning food pairing partner. Full-bodied is a good thing in sake and this Dragon God only gets better as it warms in the glass where the fruit tones subtly change into a more rich sugary tones like nougat and rock candy. Sweet without cloying, say hi to a very fun Namazume. WORD: Fruity WINE: Huge Reds/Fruity Whites BEER: Fruity ales FOODS: International spicy fare, American sushi rolls, street foods, cooked shellfish and veggies. $30/720ml