New Store Arrivals: Sookuu, Nechi Otokoyama, Cuvee 18, Sawahime

This month we see the return of Enter’s Sookuu, which is a really classy Muroka Junmai with a killer beer cap top. Makes a great gift for you and a friend. Then we say hello to an outstanding Yamahai from Niigata that has a ton of umami and a fun mouth feel. Nechi is such a great brewery this brew should not be missed. Up next is a wonderful oddity in the sake world. This “Cuvee 18” is a Yamahai that has been aged two years in French oak in very low temperatures. You like it woody? Here ya go! Lastly, check out the very cool orange-labeled Sawahime, which is a completely tasty Yamahai from Tochigi Prefecture.

ENTER.Sake “Sookuu” 
From Kyoto Prefecture. Junmai. SMV: NA Acidity: NA
The nose on this very cool looking muroka or “unfiltered” sake is nutty, ricey, buttery, creamy, with a touch of butterscotch. This is a really talented Junmai sake that is compact and tight, but equipped with lots of tasty flavors that come out at different times and sips. It is quick and dry, but there are lots of stops in between. Look for cocoa and salty nuts on first inspection, followed by earthy, rich, savory, nutty, and dark chocolate licks. A small cup brings forth more sweetness with a tingle of citrus, and a mid-sized cup brings more balance. But this brew loves a wine glass that opens up the acidity play with a nice tingle on the sides of the palate. More cocoa comes forth as it warms. WORD: Clean WINE: Dry reds/clean whites BEER: Light beer FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, grilled things on a stick, salty and savory. $45/500ml

Nechi Otokoyama 
From Niigata Prefecture. Yamahai Junmai.SMV: +1 Acidity: 2.2
The nose on this traditionally made sake is a wonderful collection of apple, melon, cream, fruit salsa, and salty aromas. Wow! This is a superb expanding sake that pushes rice and water into the stratosphere of the flavor belt. Round, smooth, creamy and a little flinty it is very complex with an elegant and nuanced tingle of sourness. It has a great mouth filling quality that delivers hints of brown sugar, nougat, apple compote, and candied almonds that literally float in the mouth. This Nechi is rich and full-bodied but interesting light in structure. It is a deep deep sake that has elevator levels of flavors that all go up! As the fluid warms to room temperature or when warmed say hello to liquid umami in a glass. Very umami rich and very tasty. WORD: Dynamic WINE: Full reds/Deep whites BEER: Full-bodied Belgians. FOODS: Meat, game, fowl, stews and rich fare. $36/720ml

Shizengo Cuvee 18 
From Fukushima Prefecture. Aged Yamahai JunmaiSMV: +5 Acidity: 1.5
This sake was introduced to the market in 2009 and was aged for two years in French Oak barrels in extremely cold temperatures. The nose on this very unique sake is a collection of earthy, nutty, honey, leather, butterscotch, and oak aromas. Say hello to a wonder in the sake world. This is a very special aged Yamahai brew that is expressive and flavorful but still very easy to drink, which also makes it a food pairing monster. Sweet, woody, lush and lovely look for a vanilla and citrus finish. The fluid is plump and viscous and loaded with rich flavors that are all lifted up by the wine-like oak tones. A smaller cup focuses the sweetness and honey elements. A wine glass almost smoothes the brew out too much, so the action is best found in a mid-sized vessel that brings forth a lot of the Yumenokaori rice flavors. A great sake to play around with. WORD: Complex WINE: Fat reds/Sherry/Oaky whites BEER: Rich Belgians FOODS: You name it, can play with spice, can dance with game, meat, fowl, and pates. $47/500ml

Sawahime 
From Tochigi Prefecture. Yamahai JunmaiSMV: -1 Acidity: NA
The nose on this cool looking sake is a clever collection of honey, clover, lemon peel, earthy, cocoa, yeasty, caramel, and leather aromas. This is a superb feeling Yamahai with loads of flavors that slide across the palate. It is a “feeling” brew, but wait it is a “flavor” brew too, which makes it an F&F sakewhich definitely is not a FAIL. Smooth, rich, round and velvety it drinks creamy with lots of oatmeal and toasted rice tones that almost border on Rice Krispie Treat-like. There are sweet hints but the sake is comfortable with the acidity and richness balance. When warmed look for a great creamy and nougat blast. And there is a buttery element that makes any Yamahai sake fan smile. WORD: Feelings WINE: Pinot Noir/Creamy Whites BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Salty and savory fare, cream dishes, tofu, steamed fish. $36/720ml