Syrah, Kusuda Wines 2019

Delicate red color. This is very floral and spicy with subtle cloves, white pepper, and gun metal. Full-bodied yet underlying acidity that covers the fruit in the palate and firm, powdery tannins. Extremely long and vivid. Bright finish. Drink or hold.

The 2019 Syrah leads with graphite and steel, blackberry, blood plum and cherry. In the mouth, the wine is elegant and refined, as we have come to expect from Hiro Kusuda. This wine has a distinct autumn leaf, black truffle character, and knowing how gracefully they age, it is barely at the beginning of its life. There is much to give, and the length of flavor tells us everything else that we need to know. Super wine. Quite distinct, with arnica and alpine mint woven through the finish. It’s gently dusty, spicy and voluminous in its way, with elegance and restraint writ large. A pleasure. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under 54-millimeter natural cork.