Sake by Mantensei from Tottori, Japan. Soft, honey-laced nose with just a tad of fruitiness. Dry overall, but with a sweet element creeping out of the background. Good richness and overall balance in a slightly dry profile. The Tottori Prefecture where Mantensei is located is one of the least populated regions of Japan - mountains, oceans and wooded areas vie for space with people in the minority. The clean air and the cold winters make it ideal for sake brewing. Delicate, with a lacy texture, papaya aromas and flavors of lime and honeydew. Not as complex, but clean and fresh. Highly recommended. Wine Spectator April 30, 2007
Sake by Mukune from Osaka, Japan. Mellow and dry profile in which the flavor and the finish meld together, with plenty of the richness of the rice evident. Yasutaka Daimon is the sixth-generation director of the family brewery. His kura (sake brewery) is blessed with a natural spring providing water which is rich in minerals and pure enough to be used in the production of excellent sake.
Sake by Rihaku from Shimane, Japan. Aromas of rice and ripe red plums. Bright, mouthwatering acidity leads into a soft and chewy texture from the unfiltered rice particles. The ricey flavor is joined by gently nutty and slightly fruity flavors in the long finish. Nigori sake is made so that some of the rice lees remain in the bottle after pressing (unfiltered). Most Nigori is sweet and creamy, and thick with the unfermented rice solids. Rihaku Nigori is a bit less chunky, but more fruity and complex than most Nigori sake.
Sake by Rihaku from Shimane, Japan. Brewed carefully and slowly at low temperatures using traditional brewing techniques and Yamada Nishiki rice polished to 55%. Characterized by a well-rounded flavor with a solidness to the flavor and fragrance, and a clean finish. Rihaku was named for a famous poet in China who lived from 701-762 and was famous for drinking a lot before writing. He was known to have said, I drink a bottle, and can write 100 poems.
Sake by Tozai from Kyoto, Japan. This is fairly thick and chewy nigorizake (cloudy sake), but it is still surprisingly dry. The aromas are bright and fresh and they show a lovely ricey and fruity combination. In the mouth, this sake has solid weight and gives the same flavors of fresh fruit and creamy fresh rice that your nose told you about. The finish has a pleasant astringency and is nicely mellow, beckoning you for another mouthful. You will rarely taste a classier Nigori at this price, and this may be the ultimate food-friendly Nigori. About Snow Maiden The image on the label is a koi, or Japanese carp. Ornamental domesticated carp have been bred for their bright colors for centuries in Japan. Perhaps the most famous koi is one named Hanako which reportedly lived for 226 years! Hanako translates to Flower Maiden, but in homage to the long-lived Hanako which lived in the icy waters at the foot of Japan's Mt. Ontake, we have named this sake Snow Maiden.
For winemaker's notes, or more information,or to read or leave a review, please click on the product link above. To go directly to the good folks at wine.com, click on this:
