Kusuda Syrah 2022

Very low yield resulted in an intensely fragrant yet elegant, linear wine with obvious aging potential. 92% destemmed without crushing, cold soaked for eight days. Fermented in open stainless steel with hand plunging and a total maceration period of 29 days. Aged in French oak, 17% new, for 22 months. Unfined.

Hiro: "A warm spring leading to a wet early summer was balanced out by a very dry January. As we started to anticipate very high quality and quantity, an unusual rain pattern arrived in early February and the optimism was dashed. A very dry spell arrived in the second half of the month and continued into March and April, which was critical, and we harvested under clear skies. Strict sorting reduced the expected higher yield significantly, down to 13hl/ha."

98 points, James Suckling

"This is a benchmark syrah for New Zealand. While others continue to be fruit-driven and heavy, this shows the complexity and focus of France’s great Hermitage wines from bygone years of the 1980s and 1990s. The superbly complex aromas of black and white pepper, dried meat, raspberries and blueberries follow through to a medium body with beautifully curated fine tannins, agility and acidity. So much freshness. Handmade. Sold mostly in Japan. Drink or hold."