I truly enjoyed this wine at Michele Restaurant in Waikiki. It's not on the menu. I was fortunate to be invited by part owner and good friend of this famous restaurant in Hawaii and one of the three bottles he brought from his private wine cellar at home was this baby! Wow!! — 9 years ago
Sebrina Italian Resteraunt — 7 years ago
I visited Kenzo Estate with a group of friends and purchased Ai and Murasaki Cabernet Sauvignon after the tour and wine tasting. Asatsuyu was not available at that time. If you have not visited Kenzo Estate, I recommend everyone to do so to truly appreciate what they go through to make their wines. The estate is so beautiful it will blow you away. Kenzo Estate conducts wine event every year at the Halekulani Hotel which I attend and have bought cases of Asatsuyu, Aiko, and Murasaki set. You cannot purchase Kenzo wines at the wine stores. Some select restaurants carry them but the prices are extremely high due to difficulty in buying these wines. In Japan's high-end restaurants like Oak Door at Grand Hyatt in Roppongi, Kenzo wines like Ai and Murasaki were $900+. It's not every day wine but if you appreciate what went in to making these wine with the professionals Kenzo Tsujimura hired (Heide Barrett, Winemaker and David Abreu, Vinyard Manager), you know he hired the best in business to "create the greatest, most elegant wines."
Today is my birthday and celebrating this occasion with friend by sharing my Asatsuyu, Ai, and Murasaki. — 8 years ago
This is ishobin 1.8L bottle.....rare and hard to find. There are 4 - M Shochu made in Kagoshima, Japan: Mori Izo, Maou, Murao, and Manzen. They are all excellent shochu made from potato. I do like Mori Izo the best. This is outstanding shochu.
Also, Shochu Master, Manzen Sensei thought Ken Hirata how to make Shochu in Hawaii. Today, Hawaii Shochu Company makes Namihana on the North Shore (Haleiwa) and sells his bottle only at the brewery at $36. They don't make enough to carry at retail stores. Many of the restaurants that do carry Namihana are priced at $70 to $160. Good buy at the brewery and make great gift from Hawaii. I usually buy one case (6 bottles) every batch Ken comes out with. He uses different potato from each Island (Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai). In Japan, Shochu is made once a year due to weather. Hawaii can make several batches throughout the year. — 8 years ago
I was impressed with Murasaki (Purple - in Japanese). Kenzo Estate makes Ai and Rindo but I prefer Murasaki. Heidi Barrett is the winemaker for Kenzo Estate (known as First Lady of wine and Time magazine called her The Wine Diva of Napa Valley). If you have not visited Kenzo Estate, I recommend to include this Vineyard on your list of wine tasting in Napa Valley. The most beautiful estate of all the vineyards I visited. — 9 years ago
Shochuman
Paul Hobbs Cab is our next wine....beautiful! — 7 years ago