Private Lab Hinotori Direct Pump
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Best enjoyed fresh within 1 to 2 years of the bottling date to experience its natural effervescence and bright fruit profile.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Blue cheese, foie gras, fruit-based desserts
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Part of Aramasa's experimental 'Private Lab' series, 'Hinotori' (meaning Phoenix) is a modern reincarnation of Kijushu, an ancient sake style dating back to the Heian period. In this luxurious brewing method, finished sake is used instead of water during the final mashing stage, yielding a rich, sweet, and deeply complex profile. The 'Direct Pump' (Jikagumi) version is bottled immediately from the press, capturing the natural micro-effervescence of fermentation. Brewed using the historic Kyokai No. 6 yeast in traditional wooden casks (kioke) via the Kimoto method, this sake beautifully balances vibrant acidity with luscious sweetness.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1852 in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Aramasa Shuzo is a legendary brewery currently led by eighth-generation president Yusuke Sato, who has revolutionized the house with a focus on heritage and natural brewing. Aramasa is globally revered as the birthplace of Kyokai No. 6 yeast, the oldest active sake yeast strain distributed in Japan, which they use exclusively across their entire portfolio. Operating with a strict commitment to traditional methods, the brewery utilizes 100% Akita-grown rice, employs the labor-intensive kimoto starter method, and ferments its liquids in cedar wooden casks (kioke) without any additives. Their highly sought-after, low-alcohol, and beautifully acidic expressions—such as the iconic No. 6 series, Colors collection, and avant-garde releases like Invisible Pink Unicorn—have redefined modern sake, bridging the gap between traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary fine wine aesthetics.