Masumi : Oak-Aged Antipodes

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for Masumi Oak-Aged Antipodes

Tasting

Appearance
This sake stands out with its green-gold hue, a testament to its aging in oak barrels, which gives it this distinctive, elegant color.

Nose
Fresh and fleshy, this sake reveals silky notes of rice accompanied by a delicate licorice-tinged bitterness. Fresh fruit unfolds with aeration, bringing notes of pear and Mirabelle plum, enhanced by white flowers of lily-of-the-valley and lily. Grape notes reminiscent of Grenache Blanc blend harmoniously with lemongrass and orgeat.

Palate
Broad and dense, with a pleasant acidity, the attack reveals notes of starch and aromatic herbs such as chervil and anise. Its creamy, milky smoothness is refreshed by a peppery white mint, while voluptuous rice notes spread through the finish, punctuated by refined fermented and cheese-like flavors. The long, velvety finish reveals vanilla and milky notes reminiscent of rice pudding, with green nuances of eucalyptus and legumes. A mouthwatering salinity of samphire and fleur de sel accompanies juicy flavors of ripe white grapes. The vanilla- and chocolate-tinged finish on the retronasal impresses with its milky sweetness and herbal notes of gentian liqueur.

Food Pairings and Serving Occasions

This exceptional sake is perfect on its own and is best enjoyed between 6 and 12°C to reveal the full complexity of the aromas developed during its aging in oak barrels.

The refinement and precision of an exceptional Japanese sake

Masumi, an iconic Japanese sake house

Founded in 1662 by the Miyasaka family in Suwa in the Nagano region, this Japanese sake house Masumi takes its name from the sacred mirror of the Suwa Taisha shrine, symbolizing transparency and truth. Now owned by Kazuhiro Miyasaka, the company distinguished itself through the development of Masumi yeast, recognized as national yeast no. 7 in 1946 and widely used across Japan. After difficulties during the Meiji era amid competition, the house refocused on innovative, high-quality sakes, perpetuating today a tradition of over three centuries of excellence.

Oak-Aged Antipodes, an exceptional cuvée

Masumi Oak-Aged Antipodes embodies the innovation and expertise of this centuries-old house. Made from yamada nishiki rice polished to 40%, this sake benefits from an exceptional production process. Brewed in 2014, it was barrelled in 2020 before being bottled in May 2022, reflecting patient aging in oak barrels that gives it its unique complexity.

Presented in an elegant wooden case with a label designed by the artist Shinichiro Ogata since 2021, this 17% alcohol sake in a 72cl format embodies Japanese excellence. Its “Oak-Aged” designation highlights this rare feature in the world of sake, where aging in oak barrels brings vanilla notes and remarkable aromatic depth, creating a bold bridge between Japanese tradition and Western techniques.