Norman

9.0

This is just ok. I’m not rating it anywhere near where others have. Aromatics are light. Light on sweetness and also power. It fades fast and the weight on the power is light too. Daishichi “Minowamon” (大七 箕輪門)


Sake type: Junmai Daiginjo (純米大吟醸 = no added distilled alcohol, daiginjo-grade polish)
Starter method: Kimoto (生酛 = traditional, naturally built lactic acidity; tends to add depth and structure) 
Rice: Yamada Nishiki (the gold seal indicates, and it’s the standard spec for Minowamon) 
Polish ratio: 50% using Daishichi’s “super-flat” polishing
ABV: 15% (back label) 
Brewery / Place: Daishichi Sake Brewery, Fukushima (Nihonmatsu) — 16 days ago

Michael Herzig

9.1

Low expectations are everyone’s friendly and it is here too. I don’t recall how I came to own this wine, I expected something simple and flat. It is not. It has spine, it is much richer than I expected- more reminiscent, to me at least, of a Bordeaux like prieure lichine. I am quite surprised, in a good way. Have at it — 4 years ago

Pamela Taylor

9.2

Inky garnet in the glass. Smoky bing cherry, clove and baking spices on the nose. Silky on the palate with vanilla and ripe raspberry, very fine tannins. Perfect pairing with Salmon in a Honey, Soy, Garlic and Dijon glaze! — 5 years ago

leon egozi

9.3

NY wine spectator event — 4 months ago

Miles Perry

9.3

A light, balanced Pinot Noir with tart cherry flavors. Very easy to drink. Enjoyable. — 8 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

With 9yrs age it doesn’t seem like any tannins have dropped. Extremely dense. Tannins are well integrated. Smooth and huge. Dark fruit. Chocolate. — 4 years ago

carl thornblade

9.2

Love the aromatics. Great wine. The top of the cork crumbled but the rest of the cork held ok and there was nothing wrong with the wine. Bought it at the winery tasting room in April 2021. — 5 years ago

P Plusquellec

9.4

"Capstone series" - Magnificent — 6 months ago

Brian

9.3

2019 vintage on April 19, 2025 — 9 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Smoking nose of bright tangy mid to late season red cherries. Ethereal, confectionary and gorgeous. Really bright and lifted. Expansive and deeply aromatic. Layered and full of nuance. Really terrific nose. 9.6. Just stunning. Palate is sweet, silky, gamey and just flat out gorgeous with a very expressive hit of delicate and elegant minerality. This is mindblowing. Did not expect this to be that great. Beautiful light and translucent color as well. Such fine tannins. Hit of licorice develops on the nose. Really wonderful sweetness but also terrific depth and such finesse. Usually Beaune is more bigger and brawny but this one. Blind I’d say Volnay. Very impressive. — 4 years ago