Mid-Autumn Festival

Mixed case of limited sakes from Katsuyama, including 2 different collaborations – “Date 7” and “Yamakan” and also a limited summer sake “Ice Valley”.

Each set contains :
1 set of 2 bottles of Date 7, Season II, Episode 2 
Yamakan - Daiginjo × 1 bottle
“Ice Valley” sake, Summer Limited, Katsuyama × 4 bottle


Date 7, Season II, Episode 2, Junmai Daiginjo – set of 2 bottles includes:
1 x Yamawa style (山和 Style):
immaculate balance of gentle ginjo notes with refreshing acidity & supremely refined umami. "aesthetics of subtraction" true to the adage of Yamawa Shuzo, Yamadanishiki is expressed in its opulence, yet brilliantly restrained.
1 x Hagino Tsuru style (萩の鶴 Style):
juicy acidity bursting forth with exuberant tropical notes, culminating to a restrained, sharap finish. as the artwork depicts, a free-spirited & fun adventure awaits!

Yamakan Daiginjo (2^nd release), Katsuyama & Abekan - 大吟醸ヤカマン, 勝山 x 阿部勘 　
The Yamakan 2^nd release is definitely worth trying and will make a great addition to any gathering. It combines two brewing styles, producing a unique, high-quality sake whose aroma has a well-balanced body and taste is incredibly smooth with a subtle richness. This sake will take you on a journey of the senses and its complexity of flavor will satisfy even the most discerning palates. An unforgettable taste has been created by this blend of two different sake Brewery.

“Ice Valley” sake, Summer Limited, Katsuyama 　
Experience the unique taste of "Katsuyama ICE VALLEY" - a departure from Katsuyama's traditional aromatic and sweet sake. Enjoy its dry and rich flavor straight, chilled, or on the rocks with ice, for a delightful combination of refreshing ripe Japanese peach aroma, natural umami, and a crisp mouth-watering finish. Customize your experience by adding yuzu or lime for a light, subtle taste.

The 2001 Calon-Ségur has a delightful bouquet, very pure and a little more vivacious than the preceding vintage, featuring lovely brambly red fruit, rose petals, autumn leaves and a touch of cigar box, all well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little more cohesive than the 2000, and slightly granular in texture, with a graceful, elegant and quite persistent finish. This is one of the few châteaux where it's difficult to choose between the 2001 and 2000. Drinking perfectly now. Drink 2021 - 2045

Neal Martin, vinous.com (Sep 2021)

{***}
{region}St Estèphe{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2001{vintage}
{ratings}
[]Vinous:: 94/100

{ratings} {***}

A truly stunning and huge wine, Gruaud has often been a little rustic but the 2010 is refined, yet overflowing in all departments. The highest levels of tannins ever seen at Gruaud are quietened and second string to the dense yet beautifully focused, cool fruit. A powerful experience with waves of precisely defined blackberry fruit, super-fine tannins and freshness which will all help to see this become a long-lived wine and probably one of the best value wines of the vintage - a triumph.Martin

{***}{region}St. Julien{region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Jancis Robinson :: 16/20

[] Robert Parker :: 93+/100

[] The Wine Advocate:: 93+/100

[] James Suckling :: 96/100

{ratings}{***}

A blend of 62 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 percent Merlot and two percent Petit Verdot. Dark crimson in colour, the wine has a deft touch, the hallmark of winemaker Nicholas Audebert, and a finesse and elegance about it this year with a velvety texture. It finishes fresh with a long, persistent length.

{***}{region}Margaux{region}
{color}Red{color}                                         

                                                       {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{ratings}
 [] Wine Advocate:: 94-96/100        

[] James Suckling:: 94-95/100 

         
{ratings}

{***}

Dark fruit with cedar and herbal notes on the nose. Some meat, too. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Juicy and savory character on the palate with a balanced structure. Flavorful finish. Second wine. Try after 2023 when it will be more together.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (Mar 2021)

{***}{region}St Julien{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}
[] James Suckling:: 92/100

[] Jane Anson :: 89/100

{ratings}{***}

A cool site giving low pH wines (higher acidity). Mid purple in colour with no great depth, an elegant light red fruit nose, strict, fresh raspberry and alpine strawberry. - Jasper Morris MW

{***}{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}      [] Jasper Morris :: 89-93/100   
 
{ratings}{***}

Evocelles was hit by a cataclysmic hailstorm in 2021; there’ll be hardly any wine next year. The three hectares of vines are at the top, touching the treeline (so of interest to the local wild boar). There’s Brochon spice, tight fruit and tannin. With 30% whole-bunch, this is a wine of vitality, finishing with some white pepper. Drink 2023-2029.

{***}
{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}

{ratings} [] Jasper Morris MW:: 90-92/100

[] JBurghound:: 90-92/100

{ratings}

{***}

Bodegas C.V.N.E. is still owned and run by the Real de Asua family whose ancestors established it back in 1879. Its full name is Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España but it more commonly known as "coonay".

In the late 1980s the firm built a spanking new stainless steel winery in the town of Haro and is now producing thoroughly "modern" style Rioja wines. Both red and whites are produced and their white Rioja is one of the few remaining heavily-oaked examples on the market today.

The 2 different ranges of C.V.N.E, the Vina Real and Imperial, are rich, full-bodied Riojas, with the Reservas and Grand Reservas being some of the most long-lived in the region today.

{***}
{region}Rioja{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                          {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
 {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1986{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings} 

{***}
{region}Rioja{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                          {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
 {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1977{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings} 

The secret of Tempranillo seems to reside in its hidden depth; gregarious and initially appearing far too attractive to be remotely serious, this wine gradually revels the true depth of its personality; the black fruits are ripe of course , but are backed by notes of laurel, licorice, garrigue and forest floor; the tannins are finely-tuned needless to say, but are swathed in a fine minerality; all in all this is clearly very fine indeed. Juan Carlos thinks it more closely resembles 2004 than 2001, but is sure that it will be better than both of them.

{***}
{region}Rioja{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                                          {maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
 {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 98/100
{ratings} 

Overall Red Wine of the Year. “With 100 points, you can only go down," Eben Sadie laughed as we tasted this wine. The 2020 is just a whisper short of the perfection of the 2019 release, but it's still a stunning red and has beaten all comers in this year's report. A seamless blend that combines five soil types and 11 vineyards, it's Syrah-based with 60% Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Tinta Barocca, Carignan, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschet. What grace, texture, focus and persistence. This has fibre, sinew and muscularity, nuanced 10% new oak and plum, blackberry, damson and wild strawberry fruit. Sublime winemaking. 2024-40”

99/100 Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2022

{***}
{region}Swartland{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}

{ratings} [] Tim Atkin MW:: 99/100

{ratings}

{***}

Our Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir has been specially made for us by Jim Clendenen, the highly regarded winemaker of Au Bon Climat, with whom we have been working for 20 years. The 2019 vintage is ripe, with rich aromas of red cherries, damsons and wild berries. The palate has a generous and silky texture, its tannins supple and beautifully integrated. Subtle notes of spice and wild herbs provide complexity and intrigue. Drink now until 2025.nins.

{***}{region}California{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

Historically almost all Scotch bore a distinctive smoky note, as peat was the most readily available fuel: today, however, it is much less common. Our Classic Peated Cask is a tribute to the traditional, peated dram -with expressive bursts of soot and smoke complemented by the spirit’s fruitiness.

Appearance: Light.

Bouquet: Well balanced, with Peat aromas giving the edge. Fruity undertones deliver a rich complexity.

Palate: A fruity sweetness introduces the soft peaty character. Well balanced to perfection.

Finish: Mid-long, deliciously Peated.

{***}

{size}70 cl{size}

{ratings} []Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition: Silver Award 2021

{ratings}

{***}

The Hebridean island of Islay is renowned for the distinctive peaty style and smoky flavours of its whiskies. Our Classic Islay Malt is carefully selected blend of casks from some of the island's iconic distilleries, creating a balanced, complex and distinguished smoky dram.

Appearance: Light

Bouquet: Beautifully integrated, the tar aromas and orchard fruit compliment each other. The characteristic Islay peat note has the upper hand.

Palate: Full, approachable, creamy texture with some sweetness, and the quick reminder of its smoky heritage.

Finish: Long lingering peat smoke.

{***}

{size}70 cl{size}

{ratings} []Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Best Scotch Whisky 2021

{ratings} 

{***}

{***}{region}Burgundy{region}
{color}White{color}                                                           

                                     {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}  

[] Jasper Morris MW:: 89-92/100  

{ratings} {***}

The ingredients here are some of Meursault’s best village vineyards. Chaumes de Narvaux is elegant and mineral, Clous adds finesse, Limouzin is nestled among the Premiers Crus, giving depth and richness, while Criots and Crotots add textbook buttery notes. Jean-Philippe works his magic and makes one of the best examples at this level, showing creamy and crystallised fruits. Drink 2022-2030. 

{***}{region} Meursault  {region}
{color} White {color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings} [] Jasper Morris MW:: 88-91/100

{ratings}

{***}

This is deliciously moreish, with sweet strawberry fruit and cranberry bite for lift. The final blend will also include some wine aged in large foudre, which adds a heartier, richer texture and rounds out the wine. Simple but not one-dimensional. Drink 2019-2023.

It is fair to say that Ben is very happy with 2017, describing it as the kind of vintage he would sign up for every year. The whites, he says, are beautiful, and not far from 2014 in style, with purity, finesse, great definition and balance. He describes the reds as pretty, appealing and with body to support ageing, while highlighting the importance of lower-yielding old vines for serious ageing. He eloquently explains that there is no “black sheep” in 2017, that no village has underperformed. For reason of space, the limited volumes of Grands Crus have not been included in this brochure. 

{***}
{region}Burgundy{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{***}

Guiberteau’s 2019 Saumur Blanc is from clay-limestone soils from lower on the hill in Brézé (older vines) and Clos des Carmes and Clos Guichaux (younger vines), all planted between the 1940s and 2012. Aged on fine lees in stainless steel tank until the spring and only lightly filtered, the 2019 exhibits a bright lemon-yellow color and a clear, pure, fresh and aromatic, intense and elegant bouquet with chalky limestone notes. Round, pure and mineral on the palate, this is a medium to full-bodied, utterly mineral and tightly structured Chenin with ripe pear flavors on the crisp and salty finish. This wine is full of energy, tension and finesse, and it's one of the finest you can get in this price range. - The Wine Advocate

{***}
{region}Sancerre{region}
{color}White{color}
{vintage}2019{vintage}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink now{maturity-text}

{ratings}[] The Wine Advocate:: 93/100{ratings}

{***}

The NV Palo Cortado Obispo Gascon, produced from Palomino grapes averaging 20 years old, and shows the telltale nose of Palo Cortado with its lactic touch and an off-dry nose of apricots, blond tobacco and spices. The palate is dominated by the salty notes (common to all Barbadillo wines), sharp, medium-bodied, with great length.

{***}
{region}Jerez{region}
{color}White{color}                                                                                               {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{ratings}
[]The Wine Advocate:: 92/100        
{ratings}
{***}

{***}
{region}Bordeaux{region}
{color}White{color}
{maturity}drink-now{maturity}
{maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2007{vintage}
{ratings}

{ratings}{***}