Echigo Denemon Junmai Daiginjo [1 Koku - 25]

From Niigata Prefecture's Echigo Denemon Shuzo. Oddly, this isn't listed on the website - seems this is only an export product. Yamada Nishiki milled to 40%, SMV +1, acidity 1.3, amino acidity 1.3, 16.5% abv. Bottled in July of 2009. Very fragrant, fermented melon juice, honeydew, canteloupe, and musk. On the palate, this enters very daintily but builds rapidly over the mid-palate, becoming BIG, rich and fruity, before turning spicy and peppery. Very good acidity. Astringent cinnamon finish, like a cinnamon chewing gum, mouth-wateringly springwater finish, but with an oddly savoury touch as it warms up, reminiscent of a paté. Clean and umami! A delicious big brother to the Junmai.