Kusuda Syrah 2011
Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
Grape: Syrah
Vineyard Practice: Sustainable
Culinary Suggestions: Lamb Ragu, Grilled Venison, Smoked Eggplant
Alcohol: 13%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Overview
Kusuda Wines, located in Martinborough, New Zealand, was founded in 2001 by Hiroyuki Kusuda, a former Tokyo lawyer who pursued his passion for winemaking by studying oenology in Germany. Kusuda moved to New Zealand to craft wines of exceptional quality, and his meticulous approach in the vineyard and winery quickly gained attention. Every grape at Kusuda is handpicked with great precision, often with workers individually inspecting and handling each grape—an unusual level of care that reflects Kusuda's dedication to purity and detail.
Specializing in Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Riesling, Kusuda Wines are known for their elegance, balance, and remarkable depth, showcasing Martinborough’s unique terroir. Kusuda’s wines are produced in small quantities, and their limited availability, combined with their high quality, has garnered international acclaim. Each vintage reflects Hiro Kusuda’s philosophy of minimal intervention, aiming to create wines that are authentic expressions of both varietal and place.
Kusuda’s Syrah is renowned for its detail, reflecting the vineyard’s unique terroir in Martinborough—a region known for producing vibrant, age-worthy wines. Each grape is hand-picked and hand-sorted to ensure only the highest quality fruit is selected. Kusuda’s dedication to crafting authentic, expressive wines is apparent in every bottle, capturing the essence of New Zealand’s cool climate through minimal intervention and precision in winemaking.
The 2011 vintage reveals the particular finesse and purity that Kusuda’s wines are celebrated for, enhanced by Martinborough’s gravelly soils and long, cool growing season. A commitment to sustainable practices and a traditional, hands-on vinification process allow the natural complexities of this Syrah to shine through, balancing richness with elegance and a mineral edge that speaks to its place of origin.