“BALLER SAKE” – NECHI OTOKOYAMA JUNMAI DAIGINJO SAKE 2020 VINTAGE
Nechi Otokoyama Junmai Daiginjo Sake 2020 Vintage
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Brewery Name – Watanabe Sake Brewery
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Rice – Koshitanrei grown by the producer in Nechi Valley at their brewery
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Alc % - 17.4%
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Rice Polishing Ratio: 40%
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SMV: +5
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Acidity: 1.4
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Production: Only 834 bottles made. Only 12 bottles were exported outside Japan. Each bottle is numbered.
We have asked sake specialist Eduardo Dingler who identified this sake and is responsible for it being in the United States via East West Wine Trading to comment on this legendary sake.
I was first introduced to Nechi Otokoyama by the late Yuka San and Yoshizaki San, I was running the Morimoto Restaurants beverage program at the time.
I was immediately attracted to the style and the story of Watanabe San. I took the first opportunity I had to visit the brewery tucked in the gentle hillside slopes of Itoigawa in the Southern portion of Niigata near Toyama.
His vision of estate grown rice along with 'Vintage' Sake became clear when we sat at his favorite local restaurant and tried a vertical of his Single parcel grown Koshitanrei Junmai Daiginjo. Hard not to become a believer after that experience. Since then I've seized every opportunity to enjoy his sakes that have been featured in three star Michelin Restaurants.
During Sake No Jin ( the largest Sake Festival in Japan held in Niigata City) last year, I tasted this sake and immediately asked Watanabe San to secure an allocation for the US. That's all we could get, a handful of bottles that are now featured at True Sake.
The sake is simply heavenly, a Burgundian approach with pristine aging and reaching new heights. Thrilled to share these gems and turn you into believers. Thank you Beau, Mei, Chris and team for sharing the passion for this unique Sake. Kampai!
Onward and Forward,
Eduardo Dingler