Norman

9.1

Banshu Ikkon “Chō-kara” Junmai, i.e., “Super-Dry”
Brewery: 山陽盃酒造株式会社 (Sanyōhai Shuzō), Shisō, Hyōgo
Rice: 兵庫北錦 100% (Hyōgo Kitanishiki)
Polish: 60% remaining
SMV (nihonshu-do): +10 (very dry)
ABV: 15%
Volume: 720 ml
Bottled: 2025-06
Style notes from the back label: soft umami with clarity and a very crisp finish; versatile across temperatures.

What to expect in the glass
• Aromatics are restrained. Think steamed rice, faint grain, maybe a hint of dried apple rather than ginjō fruit.
• Palate is lean and highly dry with a quick, clean cut. The +10 SMV puts it on the bone-dry end of the spectrum.
• Body is light to mid. Not a plush or glycerol style. If served too cold it can read “thin” and a touch bitter on the back end.

It’s dry for sure. Crisp and on the edge of bitter/sharp. The body is light and mouthfeel borders on thin but better than those others I called thin, watery and bitter. I liked this. Not staying loved but it was good and did go went with food. Has a bit of a finish that I couldn’t quite place but is what gave it the bitterness. It’s not one that just disappears. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

The Vice Wines The Millennial Batch #96 Multi Vintage, California

Dark purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Sweet nose of blackberries, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, cola, licorice, chocolates, coffee, herbs and peppercorn.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, dried figs, vanilla, cola, cedar, chocolates, tobacco, spices, peppercorn and mocha.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Petite Sirah blend from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a smooth mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime, when tannins and structure come in.

Easy drinking and good for parties. Might be too fruity for some.

An interesting blend of 63% Petite Sirah (from Mount Veeder), 21% Malbec, 8% Primitivo, 7% Tempranillo and 1% Charbono. Aged in French oak barrels (29% new) for over a year. Only 720 cases made.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$29. — 3 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Fresh, grapefruit aroma. Water like, but acidic with stimulation to my throat. 2019 @720, Kping, 210204 — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Neon pink in color with a peach hue.

Fruity nose and dry on the palate with mild complexity.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Showing dark cherries, raspberries, strawberries, limes, green apples and light spices.

Tangy finish with limes and light almonds.

This is a tasty Rosé from Sonoma County. Crisp and refreshing. Easy drinking and a good food wine.

100% Pinot Noir grapes. A tiny production of only 720 bottles.

13.1% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$28. — 3 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Outstanding white #rhone style blend from Reddy Vineyards #texashighplains AVA. 35% #roussane ; 33% #marsanne and 32% #viognier . Commendably moderate ABV at 13.5% . Golden straw color in glass. Nose features apple and stone fruit - mouthwatering acidity on the palate, great texture and a long finish. 720 cases produced so a lovely TX rarity. — 3 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

A bit deep forest herb aroma. Parsley. Spice. Salt and mineral. 2019 @720/G(2800), domaine, 220709 — 3 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.1

Lyle-Tomas young but donkey — 4 years ago

Vitaly Domnenko

8.9

Bm-. Tm. Am. Fm. — 10 months ago

Iwan

9.1

High elevation, Cabernet Savignon from Israel. Surprising freshness and acidity. Very elegant. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Optio Vineyards Geneseo District Tempranillo 2020, Paso Robles, California

Dark ruby in color, almost inky, with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, chocolates, coffee, black pepper, pencil lead and herbs.

Full bodied and very smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, vanilla, herbs, light earth, cola, chocolates, tobacco, spices, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Tempranillo from Paso Robles. Still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself.

Shows great structure with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Spicy and rich. Opulent and tasty. Feels like a Napa Merlot.

Good right out of the bottle, but so much better after 90 minutes of airtime.

Easy drinking and good by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

I paired it with a nice piece of Ribeye steak.

Aged for 17 months in (40% new) oak barrels. A tiny production of only 720 bottles.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55. — 3 years ago