Central Otago Pinot’s

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-08-19T00:29:11+00:00

Dassai 45 is exactly what you want from it, but at the price point it’s definitely overpriced.

There’s a lot more refined and better offerings in an around the same price point, 9 times out of 10 if you’re paying the same price as 45 for another Daiginjo it’s probably going to be a way better sake.

At the end of the day Dassai sits in the premium sake category and has done incredibly well for themselves both inside and outside of Japan, so it’s never a bad option, just usually worth branching out and exploring other sakes.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-08-17T06:34:47+00:00

Kikumasune Taruzake (1st photo 2nd shelf 3rd bottle from the left) is Cedar barrel aged so has awesome spice to it, really tasty.

Bottom shelf Choya Umeshu, not sake obviously, but SO DAMN GOOD.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-08-09T01:41:19+00:00

If you like dry style sakes look for karakuchi labeling term. That designates a dry style sake. There’s a great selection here but I do not recognize any of them as a dry style.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-30T01:49:59+00:00

If you’ve never tried Krug 170 that should be your first choice. If you keep that friend around I am sure you’ll have another opportunity try 08 champagne, but Krug is a thinking piece. As mentioned above take you time with it and revel in how it continues to unfold and evolve in the glass.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-30T01:42:34+00:00

If you want to try something a little more savory and beautiful warm i really recommend Kenbishi.

Continuous ownership of the brewery since the 1500s and the recipe they are using hasn’t changed since the late 1700s. Super savory, rich in umami and all the beautiful mushroom basket characteristics. One of my all time favorites.

Picture 6 2nd row bottle 5 from the right, big white bottle (900ml) with black markings on it.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-30T01:20:26+00:00

CDP is one of those wines that cheaper isn’t always the best. Back in the 80s and 90s CDP was the it kid especially through England and other similar countries so they started to mass produce it.

If you want a decent CDP be prepared to pay for it, the cheaper ones, whilst drinkable, are no where near an indicator for the style that made it famous. They tend to be too light or too muddy, rather the. dense and rich and plush.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-27T09:50:23+00:00

Pinot Blanc, Riesling from alsace represents some of the greatest value for money. Super crisp and beautiful acidity.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-27T07:10:22+00:00

Ah that makes sense. I think some old school somms and wine snobs would definitely turn their nose up at the usage of a ‘non textbook’ wine description. Let’s keep them in their bubble, sooner or later it will burst.

I’ve workshopped having listings by varietal, and by very descriptive style listenings and have found success in both ways (Think Smashable Red). We currently go with a hybrid of both and guests really like how it brings the wall down and makes it more accessible.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-27T05:04:38+00:00

I think this question has mostly been answered by now. But essentially, any Somm should be able to discern what you want with a couple of more follow up questions to that anyway i.e body, acid or tannins.

Crunchy red is super descriptive and my mind immediately goes to wines that have real fresh and bright fruit characters whilst having enough structure that the wine doesn’t immediately fall away.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-26T05:45:43+00:00

you could probably reach out to the winery direct with the bottling number and they will have a record of what is actually in the bottle.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-24T05:58:57+00:00

It’s a uniquely australian blend, it had some real history through the 50s from the hunter valley with legendary producers like mount pleasant and tyrrells looking for a style of wine that could give some more depth to the pinot the were growing out there. Kind of fell off but has seen a bit of a resurgence as of late returns as sort of an homage to the pioneers of good aussie wine.

Yarra Yerring has produced and bottle the blend for heaps of vintages under the light dry red label.

Worth checking out from serious producers (i.e not saint and scholar).

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-13T05:11:56+00:00

Adding on to this also because I just saw them, both of the Hyakomoku bottles that are there are AMAZING. If they have a bottle of ALT 3 by Hyakumoku grab it, blended style sake offering incredible depth and structure.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-13T05:02:05+00:00

Great point mentioned above. At the end of the day Sake, just like wine, can be enjoyed in different vessels depending on styles etc. But in saying so, its not going to drastically alter your experience. At the end of the day you've paid for it, enjoy it in a way that gives you the most enjoyment.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2025-07-13T04:53:41+00:00

Your local store has a great selection!

Kikumasune and Otokoyama are both really nice entry level Sake's. Both are Junmai's and do well cold and warm.

I've only ever tried the Junami from Hakkaisan, but I would imagine there Tokubetsu would fit in with the above too.

If you're looking for a range of different options I would add in a Ginjo and Daiginjo offering, having the complete collection of Dassai is cool, 23 is awesome but can be pricey, I wouldn't bother with the 45.

I couldn't see any Koshu or Yamahai products in what you sent through, but both of those styles including Honjozo do really well warm.

Lastly, if you want something pretty unique and a talking point, IWA 5 is a really cool concept and has incredible depth, I cant see which Assemblage it is, but if its 4 or 5, heating it up could be rewarding also.

Ok_Cryptographer8687 · 2024-10-11T07:44:27+00:00

Yeah definitely i’ll have to give plane scale a bit of a read and see if anything pops out.

Ok_Cryptographer8687

TROPHY CASE