
The Akita prefecture is situated on the beautiful lush island of Honshu and boasts of beautiful mountain ranges, velvety forests, and crisp blue lakes. This prefecture is a beautiful region that has been labeled as an ideal land for sake production. The Akita prefecture is the fourth sake producing region and is known as a fantastic land filled with high quality rice, cool water, and nice cool weather that aid sake brewing. The cold and frigid winters often bring large amounts of snow. The Akita prefecture’s first record is dated the year 658, but in 733, Akita Castle was built in the region and more roads and buildings were crafted as a result. The region remained mostly separated from Japanese culture and society until around the year 600, due to its location. The prefecture was the home of mostly tribes and hunters. The Akita prefecture is situated far from sprawling metropolitan areas, which is one of the reasons why some believe that sake production only escalated during the 20th century, when technology and transportation expanded. Today, there are roughly 50 breweries in the prefecture. The breweries initially crafted ginjo, but today, the region produces some of the best sakes because of its lush landscapes and climate.
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James Goddard was an ancestor of the Clarke family. Born in West Sussex, England in 1823, James spent his 74 years as a sailor, a whaler, a bullock driver, farmer, prospector, miner and hotel keeper. From an illiterate runaway living rough on the streets of London, he became a rich, successful and admired pillar of South Australian society.
James arrived in Adelaide in 1839 as a 16-year-old sailor. Twelve years later, his life changed forever with the news of gold findings. For the next 20 years, James roamed the country learning the geology that improved his chances of prospecting.
James Goddard Shiraz is made from 100 percent Shiraz.
In 1870, he tried his luck near his farm in the Barossa Valley and discovered the region’s first gold deposits, creating the prosperous Lady Alice Mine. The Lady Alice Mine, though it is no longer operational, was & still is the most successful gold mine in South Australia. From these roots, the Thorn-Clarke family has been connected to the region for the last 150 years.
James Goddard Shiraz is a blend Shiraz sourced from the Milton Park vineyard in the north of Eden Valley, and the St Kitts vineyard in the far northern area of the Barossa. Fruit is harvested in the cool of the night to maintain maximum flavour and freshness and it is fermented for 8 days. The ferment is pumped over twice daily to extract the colour and flavour from the fruit. Once finished fermentation the wine was then matured in a blend of French and American oak for a period of 10 to 12 months depending on the vintage.
Deep vibrant red with purple hues to the rim. The nose shows lifted plums, vibrant purple berries and a delicate spice note. The palate has concentrated satsuma plum, blackberry with lovely charry oak in the background. Long, juicy and even with plush fruit on the finish.
Review:
“Blended from two estate vineyards, St. Kitts and Milton Park, this shiraz offers its richness without any aggression or overt perfume. It’s just lush and delicious, a friendly embrace of firm tannins and purple-red fruit. The texture and flavor combine in a saturated meatiness, for Korean barbecue.”
- Wine & Spirits Magazine, 92 points
A ruby red garnet color, ripe fruit aromas, dried fruits, hints of licorice and scents of vanilla. Robust and harmonious in the mouth, a rich texture. The wine is only produced in the best vintages.
The grapes are coming from a vineyard planted at 400 meters above sea level. The soil is mainly marl and limestone.
The density of vines per hectare is 5,000 plants, which is equivalent to 2,000 vines per acre.
The pruning technique used is cordon
The grapes used are 100% Sangiovese grosso
Alcoholic fermentation was done in tank, while the Malo-Lactic fermentation was carried in oak barrels.
Wine was then aged for one year in big French oak barrels and 3 years in Slavonian oak barrels.
Review:
A super-intense and rich wine full of detail and deep, vibrant minerality. Dark cherries and dark berries, restrained and precise, are allied to potpourri and smoky woodland aromas. Leather and tobacco on the nose as well. Firm tannins on the palate with crisp acidity, full body and a savory finish, stern and chocolaty. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 94 Points