Type
Sakai Shuzo · Yamaguchi
Gokyo Kimoto Kioke Zukuri
$40.00
No sales tax — Oregon
Rice
Yamadanishiki (kojimai), Nihonbare (kakemai) (both Yamaguchi)
Prefecture
Yamaguchi
Flavor profileEach scale is our tasting-room read on where this bottle sits between two extremes — dry to sweet, light to full-bodied, soft to acidic, and subtle to aromatic. These are subjective, however, and will shift with food, serveware & temp.
DrySweetBalanced dry: reads as dry, with a little bit of softness, or maybe a fruit/brown sugar note that tempers the impression of dryness. Most people will read "2" as dry.
LightFullMedium: a bit of richness or creaminess, heft, more flavor intensity, more presence, sometimes higher alcohol or sweetness. A lot of namazake sits here.
SoftAcidicSoft: the most common degree of acidity for sake. A little bit of acidity to give it structure and keep the flavor refreshing, but acidity isn't an important part of its identity.
SubtleAromaticSubtle aroma: if you stick your nose in, you'll get a few quiet notes of fruit, grains, nuts & rice. Aroma isn't a big part of this sake's character. An aromatically quiet sake can still have a powerful flavor, though.
Rich, warming, autumn spice, a light sweetness, brown butter and umami. What a beautiful, unique sake!
This brew is fermented in traditional wooden kioke: large barrels, which allow the sake to gently oxygenate over the course of fermentation, and add some subtle texture/flavor notes from aromatics in the wood itself and from microorganisms that live in its fibers.
From this unique sake, I get a beautiful range of Wintry notes on the palate: cinnamon, vanilla, brandy, eggnog, cocoa, peach jam, Pannetone, sprouted wheat berries, toasted buckwheat, apple chutney, and sweet potato. A lovely balance of sweet/savory with pronounced aromatics (when served ~95F) and a concentrated palate, permitting me to sip slowly and let the flavors coat my mouth. Weighty, soft, unctuous and comforting.
This is a nice warm blanket on a chilly December morning.
** Accolades: won Gold in Japan's largest national hot sake contest in 2019!
From this unique sake, I get a beautiful range of Wintry notes on the palate: cinnamon, vanilla, brandy, eggnog, cocoa, peach jam, Pannetone, sprouted wheat berries, toasted buckwheat, apple chutney, and sweet potato. A lovely balance of sweet/savory with pronounced aromatics (when served ~95F) and a concentrated palate, permitting me to sip slowly and let the flavors coat my mouth. Weighty, soft, unctuous and comforting.
This is a nice warm blanket on a chilly December morning.
** Accolades: won Gold in Japan's largest national hot sake contest in 2019!
Stats:
Prefecture: Yamaguchi
Grade: Junmai Kimoto
Rice: Yamaguchi table rice
Polishing: 70%
Yeast: n/a
Water: Underground soft water from Nishikigawa
Handling:
- Storage temp: cool, dark place up to ~1 year without much evolution, more if you don’t mind it evolving
- Service temp: room temp to 120F
- Serving vessel: I would only avoid a wine glass, which can make the texture less enjoyable and can enhance the ‘wrong’ aromas, in my experience.
Pairing:
Super versatile with savory cuisine. Anything you’d pair a red wine with, really– think earthy, autumnal, wintery, umami rich food. Pasta with gruyere, broccolini and butternut squash; hot soba or ramen in a rich, porky broth; roasted meats or vegetables; mushroom risotto, 5 spice fried rice.
Your case:
$30 flat-rate case shipping (up to 12 bottles) — the more you add, the less per bottle. Per federal requirements, an adult (21+) with photo ID must be present to receive the delivery.
Sake Club members: $20 shipping (up to 12 bottles) with your club bottles About the clubs
Out of stock. Get an email when it's back
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Specifications
Region: Chugoku
Type: Junmai
Style: Kimoto, Koshu: Aged
Rice: Yamadanishiki (kojimai), Nihonbare (kakemai) (both Yamaguchi)
Size: 720ml
Shipping
Available nationwide to states and counties that permit alcohol. No sales tax (Oregon). Flat-rate case shipping; in-store pickup available.
Pick up in person
Shop open Tu–Sun. Order online and pick up at the shop — 107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland, Oregon.
