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

Brad Doyle

9.1

Jake and Kara brought. — 3 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Pretty unique blend here of nearly 50/50 Malbec and Merlot, just a little cab. This is a fun wine with good structure and lots of complexity. Earthy and tight but opens up to a good fruit forward finish.

@Jillian Varner says this is like a “musty cured meat cabinet” which is hilariously on point. — 4 years ago

with Jillian

Carter White

9.1

Juicy and fun — a year ago

Guillermo Gonzalez

8.9

New grape rec, courtesy of Kara at Bistro Floraison. Nebbiolo meets Beaujolais. All the great dark aromas of Neb with high acid and light weight of Bojo. — 3 years ago

Brad Doyle

9.4

Kara brought. Very good — 4 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.1

A great keepsake bottle for memories of a wonderful moment - @Jillian Varner’s brother got engaged and we celebrated with this. The juice inside is memorable as well. Melon, citrus, raspberries and strawberry. Puckering but not sour, slight toastiness too. Gorgeous, fun, yummy. — 4 years ago

with Jillian

G Miller

9.0

Needed a bit of time to open up, but delicious. Beautiful funk! Love Pinots that aren’t afraid to get dirty! Love SA! — 2 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.1

Sixth and final round of tasting and we all went 0-3 on the reds. This one was so maddeningly obvious. The dill!

Deep ruby color that is thick as tar, there is an enormous amount of vanilla and jammy over-ripened black fruit. Lacking some of the floral notes I’d expect in. Reserva, it makes up for it with eucalyptus and leather, a touch of mint, and plenty of balsamic. There’s also an earthy mushroom thing happening. Moderate tannins, low acids. Plenty of alcohol.

How did we fail here @Jillian Varner? — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Alyssa

10

With Kara and Nate — 4 years ago