Norman

9.3

Brewery: Kikumasamune Shuzo (菊正宗酒造), est. 1659
Region: Mikage-go, Nada, Kobe, Hyogo
Brand: Hyakumoku 百黙, launched 2016, first new brand in 130 years
Release: Alt.3 added April 2018. Originally Hyogo-prefecture-only
Classification: 特定名称 その他 ("Other"). No grade designation, intentionally
Rice: 100% Yamada Nishiki, Toku-A district, Yoshikawa and Kuchiyoshikawa, Miki City, Hyogo. Kano-kai contract grown
Polish ratio: not published
Water: Miyamizu, Nada
ABV: 15% to under 16% (US label states 16%)
SMV: +0.5
Acidity: 1.4
Ingredients: rice (domestic), rice koji (domestic rice)
Production: blend of multiple junmai genshu tanks combined in nama state by a staff Master of Blender. Both sokujo and kimoto-lineage tanks
Pasteurization: hiire
製造年月 2022.7 / 蔵出年月 2022.8
720ml. Imported by Mutual Trading Co., El Monte CA

Alt.3 means "alternative third choice." Kikumasamune carries no grade on this one on purpose. Their position is that Japan judges sake almost entirely on polish ratio and that competing globally means building value somewhere else. So this is a blender's sake rather than a milling-spec sake.

Had it at a kappo counter, out of an ice bucket, four years past bottling.

Medium to lighter weight. Not heavy. Fills the mouth without being explosive but still reads full. Slight bitterness on the finish that tightens it rather than intruding.

The thing I keep circling is a savory note I have had trouble naming in other sakes. Yogurt, slight sour, light caramel, maybe dried apricot. Not a fruit. It is the kimoto lactic character coming through the blend, and it is strongest cold and pulls back as the glass warms. Better warm for me. Pull it out of the bucket early. — 4 days ago

Ely Cohn

8.9

Langhe State of the Nation. Crushed dark cherry, chocolate, mint, lemon verbena, and saddle leather. Sour and tart with murky old eyes. — 3 years ago

Michelle Berryman

9.1

So good with a roast pig! — 6 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.3

We threw this in as a ringer in a tasting of older CA bdx blends and ring it did! Blind i thought this was old monte bello, glad i wasnt ridiculously off base. — 9 years ago

Sebastian Koncurat

9.2

Monte del Fra CA del Magro Bianco di Custoza is a single vineyard and offers many positive attributes: Still alive and kicking this 2013 vintage shows complex richness and weight in the palate but still manage to retain acidity and freshness. The elder flower and acacia notes are incredibly expressive. — 10 years ago

Jon Joseph

9.6

Amazing. Slight pepper smell. Very much like a comfort food you can't wait to try. Taste is like velvet. Slow and easy over the tongue and vanishes leaving you in amazement!
— 10 years ago

Nick Hoffman

9.2

Has a very smooth, rich taste of dark fruit. Maybe a slight taste of vanilla as well. Exponentially better after breathing for half an hour. Pairs well with strong food like steak or sharp cheeses. — 11 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2019 — Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Produced by Begali in the historic hills of Valpolicella Classico, this Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva is crafted from the traditional grapes of the region, primarily Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, harvested and then dried through the appassimento process for several months to concentrate sugars and flavors before fermentation. The 2019 vintage delivers a classic Amarone profile that balances richness with freshness, showing both power and elegance as it enters a beautiful drinking window.

Aromas & Flavors
Concentrated dark fruit dominates with ripe dark cherry, baked blueberry, and fig, layered with hints of dried fruit, cocoa, and subtle spice. The aromatic profile shows both richness and clarity, allowing the fruit to remain vibrant despite the wine’s depth.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and concentrated with impressive balance. The wine carries a rich core of fruit yet maintains lively acidity that keeps the palate fresh. Tannins are polished and integrated, supporting a juicy mid-palate that feels generous without becoming heavy. The finish is long and satisfying while remaining controlled rather than overly lingering.

Food Pairings
This Amarone pairs beautifully with hearty dishes where richness meets structure. Braised beef, lamb shank, venison, slow-cooked short ribs, and aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino work wonderfully, as the wine’s concentration and acidity cut through savory intensity while amplifying depth of flavor.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced Amarone that shows the category at its best, rich, concentrated, and layered, yet supported by acidity that keeps the wine lively and elegant.

Did You Know?
Amarone wines are made using the appassimento method, where harvested grapes are dried for several months after picking. This process concentrates sugars, acids, and phenolic compounds, producing the powerful and complex style that defines Amarone.

🍷 Personal Pick
A standout example showing Amarone in its prime time window, deeply concentrated with fig, baked blueberry, and ripe dark cherry while maintaining great acidity and juicy balance without becoming overly heavy. — 7 months ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Very reductive style, which I don’t hate. Struck matches for days. The fruit (apple, pear, lemon) is quiet and underripe, but the minerality is substantial. Not for everyone, and not something I’m dying to revisit soon, but this is a unique CA chard with personality to be sure. Atypical. — 5 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.4

One of the most famous vineyards in CA. Planted in 1886. Feel privileged to drink from this mountain again! Perfumed, dense and structured. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.1

Adding chill now, notes forthcoming...
I'm not a CA Chardonnay guy, but this one has been very Burgundian in style previously.

Nose you had me at flinty mineral and grape seed.

Palate is a little too creamy oak, needs air.

Aired out palate has warm pear/pineapple and a mineral component I cannot quite pin yet, oak is still in the way.

48hr Update: Flinty/Oak bat to the palate, check ☑, has not mellowed at all tonight. — 8 years ago

Gregor

10

Řaą9ąakufusw8ufll — 10 years ago

kasimir bujak

8.9

smells of coconut, vanilla, butter, chocolate
tastes like chocolate cake, blackberry, coconut, ripe plum, wood, black raspberry, vanilla, a little blueberry. biiig wood on this reminding me of CA... but rather than obscuring it melds with and gives structure to the dark fruits.... — 10 years ago

Kate

9.4

Vanilla scent after. Light and soft fruits. Drinkable and delicious. — a year ago

Paul Weil

8.9

This delicious rosé is medium dry, very light, with faint strawberry and honeysuckle flavors. — 2 years ago

Paul Weil

8.9

Ca’ Lojera, pronounced “callow yerra”, means “house of the wolf”, making this a Stark wine for GoT fans. The estate was originally the bishop’s Summer home, so here, the “wolves” refer to smugglers who used the estate as a base during the rest of the year.

Ca’ Lojera is primarily a producer of Lugana whites, but they grow a bit of Cabernet and Merlot for their rosato, and make stainless steel varietal wines of each. The Merlot is surprisingly good, with smooth, clean cherry and blueberry fruits, and just a touch of pepper spice bite to the finish. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.6

Nose has ripe blackberry, over-ripe black currant, dehydrated black cherry, moist prune, dried mint, old leather, old cedar, fresh cigar, ever so slight eucalyptus and milk chocolate powder.

Palate has velvety black fruits, blackberry/black cherry/plum, cedar, wet leather, wet volcanic rock, moist garden soil and wow what a finish, so long, so beautiful. Well cellared '96 CA should last forever! Medium tannins persist! Decanted 6H, more time would be appreciated, alas our last and only bottle, damn it.

Paired to Allen Bros. filets (Prime/Complete Trim) grilled to 127° then rested for 12m, perfectly medium rare; Toasted orzo with grilled squash and brussel sprouts with bacon. 🤤

An early Father's Day with my parents, so I don't have to compete with my Sister & Nephew's in 24 hours, plus we'll have the better wine. 🤞 — 5 years ago

Risika Nyx

9.0

Came on a bottle that's been open 2 days - delicious.

Sugared candies, healthy acidity, — 9 years ago

George Chen

9.5

These old 70's are the gems of CA wines! May they live forever! — 10 years ago

Steve Ess

8.9

Surprisingly light Cab from Italy. — 10 years ago

with Laura