Phillip harper | SHIZUOKA GOURMET

I don’t mind repeating it all the time but I prefer conducting sake tastings in the right environment but not many places are propitious for that exercise or willing to help.
But La Sommeliere in Miyuki Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City is certainly becoming a habit as not only I can conduct my tasting in the best conditions possible but also exchange views at the same time!

But this time we conducted the tasting of a sake made faraway form Shizuoka Prefecture, namely from Kyoto!
The name of the Brewery is Kinoshita Brewery and the name of the sake is Tamagawa Kounotori.
Konoutori means Japanese crane and part of the sales of that particular brand goes to their preservation!

The label on the bottle and its contents would be sufficient reasons to acquire but know it was created by the only foreign master brewer in Japan, namely Phillip Harper!
Do check this site for a short introduction of Phillip Harper who has become a household name in the closed word (but rapidly opening of late!) of sake brewers!

Rice: Gohyakumangoku (Hyogo Prefecture)
Rice polished to 77%
Alcohol: 15~15.9 degrees
Yeast: Kinoshita Brewery yeast
Dryness: + 10
Acidity: 1.7
Amino acids: 1.5
Bottled in January 2015

Clarity: very clear
Color: Golden
Aroma: Assertive. Dry and fruity. Sherry, oak and other woods, acorns
Body: fluid
Taste: Very dry, clear and neat attack backed by some petillant.
Complex. Nutty, chestnuts, dry apricots and persimmon with late hints of dry coffee beans.
Lingers on like a dry white wine or dry sherry contrary to most great sake.
many new facets tend to surge very late with further sips.

Overall: very intriguing sake.
At room temperature drinks like a dry sherry.
Very nutty. Lingers on inside palate for a surprising long time showing more facets.

Suggested pairings: Chilled with oysters and banya cauda
At room temperature with cheese, nuts chocolate.
Lukewarm or warm with himono/dried fish

Will please both genders but particularly ladies for its similarity to an elegant dry sherry.
Would surprise quite a few people if served at a party or dinner in glass with no explanation whatsoever!

LA SOMMELIERE

420-0857 Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Miyuki Cho, 7-5, Aiseido Bldg, 1F
Tel. & Fax: 054-266-5085
Opening hours: 11:00~22:00 (~20:00 on Sundays and Holidays)
Entirely non-smoking!

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