Kusuda
Tokyo-born Hiro Kusuda worked as a lawyer and a diplomat before pursuing a lifelong dream to make world-class Pinot Noir in New Zealand.
After completing a postgraduate degree in oenology at Germany’s prestigious Geisenheim University, Hiro leased a small vineyard in Martinborough and used his friend Kai Schubert’s winery to produce his first wines, which quickly garnered a cult following in Japan.
Gradually buying up tiny parcels of land, Hiro now single-handedly farms 3.8ha of vines with extraordinary attention to detail. Joined every year by a loyal group of friends and volunteers, Hiro’s harvest regime involves multiple passes through the vineyard to pick individual berries at perfect ripeness.
Using a rigorous low-intervention winemaking approach, Hiro crafts pure and finessed expressions of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Riesling bottled without fining or filtration.
Made with 10% whole clusters and partially matured in new oak barrels, Kusuda’s Pinot Noir exudes Chambolle-like elegance with its spellbinding fragrance of black cherry and sweet spices. His Syrah is round and supple, showing floral-inflected dark fruit, as well as enormous ageing potential.
With just a few hundred cases produced each year, Hiro’s wines are rarely found outside of top restaurant wine lists in Japan or otherwise only at auction. As such, we are delighted to be able to offer this parcel of critically acclaimed vintages at the market’s lowest prices.
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2018 (£90)
Sold out
Dense and seductive, woven with finely-grained tannins. Drink to 2028.
16.5 points, Jancis Robinson
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2019 (£95)
Sold out
Silky red berries layered with wilds herbs and smoke. Drink to 2030.
17.5 points, Jancis Robinson
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2020 (£100)
Sold out
Plush, spicy cherry and cranberry supported by taut acidity. Drink to 2036.
18 points, Jancis Robinson
Kusuda Syrah 2018 (£95)
Sold out
Rich black fruit is lifted by white pepper and herbal nuances. Drink to 2034.
17.5 points, Jancis Robinson
Kusuda Syrah 2019 (£95) Sold out
Perfumed with griotte cherries and a savoury, mineral edge. Drink to 2038.
17.5 points, Jancis Robinson
Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk