Norman

9.4

Nabeshima (鍋島) Shizuku Junmai Daiginjo

Brewery: Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Kashima, Saga, Japan
Classification: Junmai Daiginjo
Style: Shizuku-shibori / drip-pressed (free-run, no press)
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Polishing: 35%
ABV: 16%
Bottle: 720ml
Bottling date: 2026.05 (Lot 5B0C)
Importer: JFC International

Nabeshima is Fukuchiyo's flagship brand, and the Shizuku is one of its top Junmai Daiginjo bottlings. The house style aims for natural balance and body rather than simply big aromatics or dryness.

Tasted at Sushi Ai, Redwood City, 10/23/2026. Brought my own bottle. Rich, full-bodied and mouth-filling, medium to heavy weight on the palate. I wouldn't call it sweet, but it carries a pleasant sweetness. It has a presence to it that I really enjoy.
— 9 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1991 vintage. Last tasted 4.22.26 (8.4). It was quite the saga then with a triple-decker self-loathing, regret and sorrow sandwich. This visit...bottle #2 of 3. Opened with a Durand. Cork 25% saturated. Color a ridiculous, majestic purple. Decanted and tasted after 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 45 minutes and one hour. Decent sed vacillating between powdery and Dippin' Dots sized. Gamey, smoky, meaty Côte-Rôtie-styled rhythm guitar nose that definitely rolled over into the flavors. The lead guitar went on an extended rhubarb, cranberry and boysenberry solo. Fascinating wine and will open the last bottle in exactly a month. We can't wait for June. We're on surfari to stay. 5.22.26. — 5 months ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2022/8. This was another somewhat mysterious entry in the saga of my cellar. On opening, it was in just about the oddest, most awkward shape of anything I’ve had in quite some time - hard, spicy and herbal with no fruit or perfume. With lots of air and coaxing it did begin to round into shape, with the last glass feeling like the most together. I don’t know if the cellar is just too cold (trapping wines in a prolonged awkward adolescence) or there is something less benign going on... — 4 years ago

Ethan Clark

9.3

The best thing to come out of Iceland since Njal’s Saga. — 5 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.7

Another instance in the saga for definitive proof that Gassmann is one of the best producers in the Alsace and that his wines can last forever. The nose shows botrytis with notes of honey, dried apricot and sweet candied peach with touches of spice and sweet wildflower. The palate is lush and rich but still somehow restrained. Creamy stone fruit mingles with classic muscat spice and herb going along with just a touch of RS. The finish lingers forever with floral and fruit notes along with acidity that could give it 20 more years. Wow! — 6 years ago

with Kati

Hiroyuki Hikichi

9.0

From Saga prefecture. Fruity. A sake bar @ LFK, Honk Kong. — 8 years ago

Norman

9.1

Nabeshima (鍋島) Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki

Brewery: Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Kashima, Saga, Japan
Classification: Junmai Ginjo
Rice: Yamada Nishiki
Brewery series: Nabeshima

Fukuchiyo’s official lineup identifies this bottling as Nabeshima Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki. The brewery describes the broader Nabeshima style as seeking a natural body rather than simply high aromatics or dryness, with a balance intended to gently stimulate all five senses.

Tasted at Sake Day SF — 9/26/2026. Rating is limited since the same glass was reused throughout the tasting, making it difficult to get a truly clean tasting and accurate read on the aromas. — a month ago

Norman

9.1

Little effervescent. Liked better the next day. On the edge of being too sweet as it warms. Mid-weight. — 2 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

The Brangelina saga must be heating up because I just snagged a case of their surprisingly good rose at Trader Joe’s for $11 a bottle LOL — 3 years ago

Garrick Talmage

9.3

This is the sake I’ve always wanted. Nutty on the nose, dry, smooth, absolutely incredible. My palate might not be refined enough to taste the sunflower but 🤷‍♂️ — 5 years ago

with Conner

Hiroyuki Hikichi

9.5

Celebrate the new year! — 6 years ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Rounded and dense, but smooth and crisp. It’s medium dry/sweet. There is a subtle homely sexiness to this. It’s the girl next door. — 7 years ago

Naoki Kondo

9.0

Mild sanmi — 9 years ago

Norman

9.5

Nabeshima Aiyama Junmai Daiginjo

Brewery: Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Saga
Type: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Aiyama
Polishing: 40%
ABV: 16%
Prefecture: Saga, Japan

Wow. Immediately mouth-filling even when cold. As it warms, strawberry becomes more pronounced, with kiwi on the nose. Slight effervescence. Sweet, but not actually sweet, just no bitterness. Rich and full on the palate with remarkable intensity. It completely explodes across the palate and has a long, powerful finish. Very different from the lighter sakes in terms of sheer presence and power. — 2 months ago

James Brenner

9.6

Saga @ 70 pine with seabass — 2 years ago

Diego Sarniguet

9.0

Good, correct. Aromatic. Strawberry jam.
Easy going — 4 years ago

Devin Healey

8.9

What a saga to get this delivered to me in NJ. Worth it. Love Andre Mack. Love his winery. Love this wine. — 5 years ago

Brian

9.1

Cherry with a hint of spice. Thick aromas (smokey?) With just a hint of floral? Dry and well balanced. — 6 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.2

Strong rice aroma and savory notes. Burst with umami flavor on the palate which paired really well with monk fish! 精米歩合:55%. Personally I prefer ginjo much more than daiginjo level because they are more food friendly. — 7 years ago

TH

9.0

@知多繁　1,800 excl tax — 7 years ago