Viridian
Aramasa Shuzou
Cosmos Junmai Ginjô Genshu 2017
Aramasa Cosmos 2017. Aramasa spins rice into a Godly liquid - quite unlike any other brewery. I've expressed my love for this brewery many times before, and I'm sure this won't be the last. Everything I've drunk from Aramasa moves the heart and only they could have pulled off being the beverage of the afternoon amongst a Keller and Bindi.
Rice wine kabi. Pours and looks like mineral water, but sports the texture of engine oil in the palate. There's a certain roundness and softness to the saké, but without any undue weight. So elegant and pure. Impeccable balance of sweetness and acidity.
NB: Made using Karyoshinko rice, the rice Aramasa is most known for. Junmai Ginjo, 40% polishing rate. Can't read Japanese, but Google Translate seems to indicate that there was some wood used - Hmmm. Tasting notes seem to use the word smooth, which I agree. Lots of sake lovers claim this to be the best of Aramasa's colour series. Had the Viridian, Lapiz Lazuli, and now this one - not sure which I'd call best. They were all so delicious, granted I only tasted them once. The Viridian has the advantage of totally changing my perception on saké. Would love the opportunity of tasting the series in a horizontal, and even more so in a vertical. — 8 years ago
Viridian
Olsen Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006
Everyone rating this wine prior to me did not approach it objectively. Perhaps they're all aholes. Is it ethereal? No. is it balanced? Yes. Is it characteristic of the willamette? Absolutely. This 2006 is earthy spicy cherries with lovely rounded edges. Pleasant and expressive aromatics where the oak is slightly more dominant than I prefer. But the oak is integrated the tannins are pure silk and the 13.8% abv is integrated. The finish lasts and the acid is good given the warmth of 06'. This wine doesn't deserve to be dismissed. — 10 years ago
Norman
Aramasa (新政) Colors "Viridian" (天鵞絨)
Brewery: Aramasa Shuzo, Akita City, Akita, Japan
Classification: Junmai, Kimoto, Genshu (restaurant listed as Junmai Daiginjo)
Brewing: Kimoto starter, fermented in wooden vat (kioke #43)
Rice: Misato Nishiki, 100% (2025 harvest, Akita grown)
Polishing: Koji 55% / Kake 55%
Yeast: Kyokai No. 6
ABV: 13% (undiluted)
Bottle: 720ml
Made 2026.02, shipped 2026.05
Part of Aramasa's Colors series. Viridian, "velvet" in Japanese, is the fullest-bodied of the Colors. The brewery's lot note says this season's bottling runs higher in amino acids than usual, putting mellowness up front, with Shine Muscat and blood orange aromas.
Tasted at Sushi Ai, Redwood City, 10/23/2026. Effervescent, fresh and airy, with a light carbonic bitterness from the bubbles. Slightly sweeter and heavier on the palate than the Cosmos. The fan favorite at the table.
— 12 days ago