Woodsy honeycomb, nutshell, and mushroom patch aromas with a satiny fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a delicate savory mushroom stock, chestnut, and golden beet driven finish. A fine choice for tempura. 91 Points -Beverage Tasting Institute
RATING: 91 points (Exceptional)
CATEGORY: Junmai Ginjo Sake, Sake
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 15.4%
TASTING LOCATION: In Our Chicago Tasting Room
TASTING DATE: Dec-05-2012
WINE ID: 200767
Hiyaoroshi is a general term referring to sake that has been pasteurized once in the winter and then allowed to mature over the summer before distribution in autumn. The Japan Sake Brewers Association designates September 9th as the official start for Hiyaoroshi sales. (Essentially aged Namazume)
September 9th is known as Kiku-no-Sekku (“Chrysanthemum Festival”), where hundreds of chrysanthemums are displayed around various venues and chrysanthemum sake is served. The chrysanthemum (kiku) was brought to Japan from China during the Nara period. In 1183, it was adopted as the Imperial Seal of Japan, and during the Meiji period no one but the Emperor could use it. Nowadays it still represents the authority of the emperor and you can see it everywhere in Japan.
Aromas are forward, fresh, and fruity in the nose with notes of sweet melon, cherries, and hints of vanilla. Flavors on the palate evoke feelings of the season with pumpkin pie, roasted nuts, and stewed plums. This sake is medium-bodied and accented by medium acidity, showing classic Jozen minerality and a lingering dry finish. Additional 7 months of aging adds depth and roundness.
{Pairs with roasted poultry, baked ham, butternut squash ravioli, BBQ, and dishes with sweet spice.
Aged Gouda, triple cream, fresh chevre .
TASTING NOTES: This fresh, subtle Honjozo has a lovely nose of cantaloupe, leek, fresh clay and pear. With just a hint of sweetness, the palate is light bodied with alluring flavors of burnt caramel, chalk and marsh-mallow and a classic Honjozo clean, dry finish.
The fanciful name "Otoko no Yujyo", represents a feeling for which the sake was made, to honor brotherly love, between comrades.
PREFECTURE: TOCHIGI
POLISHING RATIO: 65%
ALCOHOL: 15.0 - 16.0%
SMV +/-: +8.0
ACIDITY: 1.4
RICE KOJI: HITOGOKOCHI
RICE KAKE: TOCHIGI 14
YEAST STRAIN: KYOKAI 901
FOOD PAIRINGS: Versatile with all foods, Grilled Fish, Paella, Smoked Fish, Fried Fish or Fried Chicken
CHEESE PAIRINGS: Foggy Morning, Prima Donna, Domaine de Village
This unpasteurized sake is exciting and lively with a nose full of citrus, apple blossom and shizo. The palate is equally as bold featuring fresh persimmons, marshmallow and slightly underipe stone fruit. The finish is clean showing soft minerality.
POLISHING RATIO: 60%
ALCOHOL: 15.5
SMV +/-: +5.0
ACIDITY: 1.6
RICE KOJI: GOHYAKUMANGOKU
RICE KAKE: KOSHI IBUKI
YEAST STRAIN: K1801
FOOD PAIRINGS: Sushi Nigiri with fatty fish, oysters, omelettes, Lighter Italian, Chinese or French dishes
CHEESE PAIRINGS: Mildly ripe Coulommiers or Brie, Italian Raschera
This inviting Honjozo is full of floral, quince, dried mango, anise and hazelnut aromatics. On the palate this sake has medium body and a smooth mouth feel. Forward flavors of persimmon and black pepper with lively acidity gives this sake a beautiful balance.
Pair this with: Salmon teriyaki, chicken meatballs, glazed ham, spinach and bacon salad; served warm with Shabu Shabu
RICE POLISHING RATIO: 60%
ALCOHOL: 15-16%
SWEET/DRY: +5.0
FOOD PAIRINGS: Duck, Grilled salmon, Chicken meatballs, Glazed ham, Chinese, Italian, Cured Meats
CHEESE PAIRINGS: Comte, Mimolette, Pecorino
Dry and lean in the nose with hints of celery, pear puree and anise. On the palate this junmai is soft and creamy on the palate with rich, savory flavors of mocha, hazelnut, spicy vanilla, ending with crisp acidity.
POLISHING RATIO: 80%
ALCOHOL: 16-17%
SMV +/-: +2.0%
ACIDITY: 2.10%
RICE KOJI: Yamadanishiki
RICE KAKE: Yamadanishiki
YEAST STRAIN: Koshi Ibuki
FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with rustic Italian food, cheese and tomato centric or creamy pasta dishes
CHEESE PAIRINGS: Italian Raschera, Pecoria Reggiano
Salvaterra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is made from 65% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta.
Perfume of cherries, cocoa, tobacco and black pepper. On the palate it is complex and deep, elegant and robust at the same time, harmonious and with an excellent tannin.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is "the essence of the territory", structured but also fresh at the same time.
Pairs with red meats, aged cheese, dark chocolate, cigars.
Saumaize Michelin Pouilly Fusse Premier Cru La Marechaude is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
A beautiful Pouilly-Fuisse from "La Marechaude" parcel that Saumaize-Michelin acquired in 2013. Planted on clay and limestone slopes and hand harvested, this Chardonnay offers fresh and elegant notes of white flowers, crisp, citrus and exotic fruits. Powerful and mineral on the palate with a fantastic balance, finesse and freshness. The exceptional terroir brings minerality and juicy flavors of stone fruits, peach and melon supported by subtle toasty notes.
It is now a Premier Cru.
Saumaize Michelin Pouilly Fusse Premier Cru La Marechaude is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
A beautiful Pouilly-Fuisse from "La Marechaude" parcel that Saumaize-Michelin acquired in 2013. Planted on clay and limestone slopes and hand harvested, this Chardonnay offers fresh and elegant notes of white flowers, crisp, citrus and exotic fruits. Powerful and mineral on the palate with a fantastic balance, finesse and freshness. The exceptional terroir brings minerality and juicy flavors of stone fruits, peach and melon supported by subtle toasty notes.
It is now a Premier Cru.
Segries Clos Jean Alesi Cotes du Rhone Rouge is made from 1/3 each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
This wine was originally called Segries Lanzac Clos Hermitage Cotes du Rhone Rouge
This 3.5 hectare vineyard, located in the famous “Quartier de la Chartreuse de Villeneuve-les-Avignon”, has been owned by the Formula 1 race car driver Jean Alesi since 1995. It is managed by Château de Ségriès.
This wine is a blend of 33% Grenache, 33% Syrah, and 33% Mourvedre sourced from 40-year-old vines. It was fermented in concrete vats then aged for nine months in 5% new oak barrels. The wine is a very grapey color in the glass. There is a light nose of tightly packed black fruit, dried herbs, pepper, and licorice. In the mouth there are tight-grained blue fruit, fine, powerful tannins, and a little strawberry flavor breaking loose. With air the wine reveals pencil and pepper flavors along with the structure for aging.
Yield: 40 hl/ha
Age of the vines: 40 years.
Vinification: 21 days skin maceration in temperature controlled concrete vats
Ageing: 9 months oak aging -5% new French oak from Seguin Moreau cooper and 95% of 1 year old barrels.
Delicious with roast meat, grilled vegetables, strong cheese and chocolate desserts.
Segries Cotes du Rhone Rouge is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Carignan
Segries Cotes du Rhone Rouge is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Carignan
Segries Lirac Rouge Cuvee Reservee is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre
Dark garnet in color. Expressive Red fruits and spicy. Sweet tannins and good length
Ageing up to 10 years
Vineyards Clay and limestone Area: 24 hectares Age of Vines: 80 years Yeild: 24 Hl/Ha Production: 570 Hl Harvest and VInification Harvest by hand and 100% destemmed. Maceration for 21 days in cement tank - Fermentation with controlled temperature at Château de Ségriès.
Pairs well with Stews, Grilled meats, Game, Various cheeses
Segries Lirac Rouge Cuvee Reservee is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre
Dark garnet in color. Expressive Red fruits and spicy. Sweet tannins and good length
Ageing up to 10 years
Vineyards Clay and limestone Area: 24 hectares Age of Vines: 80 years Yeild: 24 Hl/Ha Production: 570 Hl Harvest and VInification Harvest by hand and 100% destemmed. Maceration for 21 days in cement tank - Fermentation with controlled temperature at Château de Ségriès.
Pairs well with Stews, Grilled meats, Game, Various cheeses
Segries Secret Grange Lirac Rouge is made from 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah.
This is a new wine for Chateau de Segries. 2013 is the first vintage.
The wine is dark and inky.
The aromas are intense and complex. It has fruit flavors of course, Strawberry and Blackberry, but it also have some interesting spice components, garrigue, pepper and licorice.
The finish is long and very pleasant as the tannins are round and well integrated.
La Grange is the name of the parcel where the grapes are grown. The soil is Clay and Limestone.
The average age of the vines is 80 years old.
Classic vinification in temperature controlled tanks. The skin contact maceration lasted 30 days and was completed in cement tanks.
The wine went through MaloLactic fermentation and was bottled without filtration.La Grange is the name of the parcel where the grapes are grown. The soil is Clay and Limestone.
The average age of the vines is 80 years old.
Classic vinification in temperature controlled tanks. The skin contact maceration lasted 30 days and was completed in cement tanks.
The wine went through MaloLactic fermentation and was bottled without filtration.
Siegel Crucero Collection Carmenere is made from 100 percent Carmenere.
Pre-fermenting maceration at 15ºC for five days. Fermentation between 28º to 30ºC to get more color and structure for our Siegel Crucero Carmenere . Four light pump-over are done daily. Post fermenting maceration for about two weeks. Then the juice was separated from the skins, which were pressed to extract more juice. 100% malolactic fermentation.
Aged 25% in American oak barrels for 3 months.
Fine deep color, with average plus density. A brooding quite intense nose: earthy, prunes and pronounced touch of violets. Entry quite firm and clear cut, with fine acidity and good fruit that adds supleness. Excellent balance. Very good with lots of character.
Pairs well with chicken, pasta, red meats, cheeses
Siegel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pre-fermentative cold maceration for 5 days, with alcoholic fermentation occuring at 27-29 degrees C to better extract polyphenols from the wine. Post-fermentative maceration for 2 to 3 weeks. Once the wine has been blended it is smoothly clarified. Aged in French oak barrels for 10 to 12 months.
The grapes for the Gran Reserva wines are the product of a careful selection of Siegel's best vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, harvested by hand, and revealing a strong expression of the land.
Deep ruby red with aromas of cassis, red fruits, black pepper, black cherries, tobacco, cinnamon and chocolate. On the palate it is highly concentrated with juicy notes of red fruits and spices. Structured & complex from the oak aging.
Serve with red meat, braised stews, grilled pork and flavorful cheeses.
Siegel Gran Reserva Viognier is made from 100 percent Viognier.
The grapes for the Gran Reserva wines are the product of a careful selection of Siegel's best vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, harvested by hand, and revealing a strong expression of the land.
Gran Reserva Viognier was aged for 6 months in French oak barrels with lees stirring to provide complexity and structure. The wine shows a pale yellow color with green tones. The nose offers intense notes of white peach, grapefruit and floral aromas. On the palate the wine is balanced, persistent and presents excellent balanced acidity.
Siegel Ketran Red Blend is made from 35% Syrah, 30% Petit Verdot, 25% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Franc
Ketran is coming from the Mapuche Language and it means "plowed earth". In fact, Earth was plowed by fire from the volcanic acitivity. Ketran is a tribute to the volcanic soils that gave birth to the fantastic terroir of Los Lingues, located at the foothills of the “Cordillera de los Andes".
The wine is clean and bright in color.
The wine displays a very aromatic and elegant nose of ripe black fruit, prune and dried fig.
The mouthfeel is smooth and the length to the finish is quite exceptionnal, with sweet and fleshy tannins, balanced by a perfectly integrated acidity which gives the wine some freshness and emphasizes the presence of fruit and its ability to age.
Coming from the volcanic soils of Los Lingues, at the foothills of the Andes mountain.
The wine went through ML fermentation, it was then aged 24 months in French Oak barrels.
The wine has been slightly filtered before bottling.
Review:
"2014 is the second release of Siegel's top red wine, made from a four-way cuvée of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Plush, spicy and smoothly oaked, with some tannic backbone and a glossy finish. Needs time. 2021-30"
- Tim Atkin MW (Chile 2019 Special Report), 94 pts
Ketran is Siegel’s most ambitious wine. Debuting with the 2013 vintage, it’s a selection of the best barrel lots from Los Lingues in the Andean zone of Colchagua. The blend works very well, especially if you let the wine breathe for a few hours beforehand. The oak steps aside, and the aromas of fruit and herbs take over in a red with firm, sharp tannic structure that leaves room for the acidity—not very prominent in a warm year, but still present—to achieve balance. This blend is for the cellar.
-Patricio Tapia - Descorchados 94 Points
Siegel Los Lingues Single Block 21 Mediterranea is made from 45% Garnacha, 40% Carignan and 15% Syrah.
This Mediterranean red blend from Siegel shows a beautiful red color with violet notes, a great aromatic expression with some notes of raspberries and blackberries with slight toasted notes. On the palate it is a round wine with good acidity and long finish.
Review:
"Energising red fruit and floral spice are wrapped up in a backbone of smoky acidity and tannic tension which persist to a long and rewarding finish."
- Decanter World Wide Awards 2023, 95 pts - GOLD MEDAL
Siegel Naranjo Orange Wine Viognier is made from 100% Viognier.
This wine has a nice gold color with some pink hues. On the nose, it shows some sweet notes of spices, dry nuts, white flowers, as well as some light notes of huesillo (dry peaches). In the mouth it shows a beautiful acidity, with a nice mouthfeel and structure and a good length to the finish.
Pair with rich fish and meat dishes, cheeses, appetizer and dessert
Review:
"Deep orange hue with a brown tinge. Really perfumed and expressive on the nose, with lots of peaches, dried lychee, honeysuckle, kumquat and gingerbread. A hint of caramel. Medium- to full-bodied and slightly grainy in texture, with plenty of flavors rounded by fine, silky tannins before a rich, sleek finish. Consistently a flavorful and outstanding skin-contact viognier. Drink now."
- James Suckling (February 2023), 93 pts
Viejo Isaias Juana Cabernet Franc is made from 100 percent Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc has an intense bright velvety red color. In the nose this wine reveals a complex expression marked by fresh berries followed by hints of floral aromas. It also displays some smoke and vanilla from the oak barrels. It is rich and balanced in the mouth with an elegant tannic structure and long fresh fruit end.
Vineyard information:
Location: Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, on the highest area of the Mendoza river - Mendoza.
Altitude: 950m above sea level.
Soil: Stony, from Alluvial origins
Coming from our estate vineyards in Perdriel and Lujan de Cuyo.
Aged in 50% French and 50% American Oak barrels for 12 months. First and second use only.
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling.
Excellent when paired with red meats, pasta with spicy sauces, matured cheeses.
Review:
"Hints of plums and dark berries with some dried flowers, following through to a medium body with round tannins and a juicy finish. Bigger in nature. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 92 pts
Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot.
Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of vineyard blocks from throughout the entire estate. Varying terrain, different clones, and different rootstocks produce a patchwork of flavor identities between the vineyard blocks and their resulting cuvees, brought together in a blend that is essentially a snapshot in time of a dynamic, ever-changing vineyard.
The 2015 Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant garnet color in the glass. The nose is extroverted and effusive with bright red aromas of ripe cherries and plums, with a touch of peach and hint of anise and white pepper. In the mouth, the wine shows excellent oak integration, with prominent flavors of juicy huckleberries, milk chocolate, and sweet barrel spices. The lengthy finish carries nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla through to the end. ~Molly Lippitt, Winemaker.