I’ve stayed away from Zinfandel because whatever it is that they’re doing with it nowadays just isn’t for me. But this? This producer? Yeah it’s different. A somewhat subdued purple with a crimson rim. Fruit and spice on the nose with blue and black berries along with some black pepper. This nose just never stops. And you don’t want it to. Just the faintest hint of forest floor. How solid of a Zin is this? Even clocking in at 14.9, it’s never overbearing or anything approaching too hot. Wonderful balance and acidity, I can’t stop smelling it though, it’s glorious. Cranberry and boysenberry prevalent on the palette but there’s also with the right amount of spice. This is a beautiful wine and has single handedly restored my faith in Zinfandel. Mike and Kara Dunn make the single best Petite Sirah you will probably ever drink and they’re expanding. Get on board. — 6 years ago
Tasty for my bday 2019 w grant, kara, & Grace at steak & vine in lagrange — 7 years ago
Cici, Jackie, Kara #next awesome light pino. Ver aromatic — 8 years ago
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. — 9 months ago
Jake and Kara brought. — 4 years ago
Another delightful Oregon PN — 5 years ago
Gentle, warm, loving and smooth taste — the perfect metaphor for my beautiful wife on a shelter-in-place Mother’s Day. — 6 years ago
Costco - $15 - Birthday bottle from Kara. Very good Cabernet. Taste more like a Zinfandel. Oaky with dark fruity taste. Will buy again. — 7 years ago
Great wine. We met the winemaker and she is great — 7 years ago
Needed a bit of time to open up, but delicious. Beautiful funk! Love Pinots that aren’t afraid to get dirty! Love SA! — 3 years ago
Kara brought. Very good — 4 years ago
Love this one. Great price too. Kara enjoyed too. — 6 years ago
Nice flavors - maple, & slight sweetness. 7/20/19 back yard bbq with friends (Kara) — 7 years ago
With Kara in Kent. Fruity. I liked it — 7 years ago
Great wine. We met the winemaker and she is great. — 7 years ago
Sebastien Truchon
- Kara Tara - South Africa. Comme le Ciprea mais un petit peu mieux. — 2 months ago