New Store Arrivals – Katafune, Ohmine, Dassai Blue Nama & Sparkling
From Niigata Prefecture. Daiginjo. SMV: +2 Acidity: 1.3
The nose on this competition-style Daiginjo is a splendid collection of strawberry, pineapple, lily, vanilla, cream, and honeydew aromas that are a judge’s favorite scent profile. Basically this special bottle represents the best sake that a brewery can produce called a “Tobin.” It literally is a blue bulbous vessel that contains the best of the best flow of world-class sake that is usually submitted to competitions, and that is why the owner and master brewer Takeda-san uses this bottle to show off his opulent amazing Daiginjo that drinks slippery, silky, plump, bright, and smooth with a chewy elegance that is to die for. Look for complex and luxurious flavors like vanilla, strawberry, almond, sugar cane, marshmallow, candied lemon peel, pear, white chocolate, and nougat that glide across the palate. Superb sake that is perfect for gifting as the bottle makes for an excellent water bottle or flower vase. WORD: Competition WINE: Deep Reds/Complex Whites BEER: Rich Belgians FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, lobster, foie gras, ankimo, oysters, crab, rich champagne fare, complex and elegant pastas, meats, cheeses, and caviar.
From Yamaguchi Prefecture. Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this specially released Ohmine is a vast collection of melon, pear, peach, mint, oatmeal, lychee, honey, and mandarin aromas. We all know this exciting brewery from Yamaguchi, but do you know this product made with the very flavorful and exciting rice varietal called Omachi? Clean, smooth, slippery, viscous, plump, chewy, and mid-to-full bodied, this brew drinks with a little effervescence, and little tingle, and a little sweetness that rolls with a juicy acidity play. Look for mango, ripe pear, apple juice, tangerine, simple syrup, creamsicle, cotton candy, and sweet milk flavors that gush through the palate with cantaloupe and honey tea finish. Say hello to a richer and more plump version of your favorite makers. WORD: Slippery WINE: Rich Reds/Sweet Whites BEER: Sweet Ales FOODS: Sushi, crab, lobster, shrimp, white fish, fruit & cheese plates, dried meats, International spice, and spicy tuna rolls.
From New York. Nama Junmai Daiginjo. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this unpasteurized (Nama) Daiginjo is a cool collection of strawberry, pineapple, kiwi, chive, pear, mango, and powdered sugar aromas. Is this the most refined, luxurious craft namazake made outside of Japan? In a word, yes. In another word, it’s Dassai. Fresh, juicy, elegant, spritzy, bright, zippy, tingly, mid-body, and smooth, this premium brew glides through the palate with a luxurious and silky flow with a little liveliness and dryness. Look for strawberry, apple, kiwi, sugar cookie dough, papaya, grape, raspberry, sautéed bell pepper, and sugar cane water flavors that play with a little acidity and have a quick clean finish. This is nama history in a bottle! Serve chilled in a white wine glass. WORD: Refined WINE: Elegant Reds/Clean Whites BEER: Clean Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, grilled fish and chicken, caviar, Champagne fare, hot pots, and light international spice.
Dassai Blue “Sparkling Nigori”
From New York. Sparkling Junmai Daiginjo Nama. SMV: N/A Acidity: N/A
The nose on this unpasteurized (nama) sparkling coarsely filtered (nigori) sake is a fresh collection of strawberry, honey, yeast, cream, yogurt, vanilla, Calpico, orange, and lime zest aromas. Say hello to a very bubbly, fresh, and fun sparkling sake that jumps in the palate with lots of tight, creamy and semi-dry bubbles that go “Brut-like” in texture and feel. This is what sparkling rice tastes like! Look for cream soda, nougat, almond, coconut water, sake kasu, grapefruit, young strawberry, persimmon, young pear, and mineral water flavors that jump with astringency and quick acidity. Best served in a Champagne flute. WORD: Sparkling WINE: Sparkling Wines BEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Champagne fare, cheese and fruit plates, spicy fare, smoked meats and cheeses, oysters, and American sushi.