Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service.
Hiro Kusuda is an eclectic character. Born in Tokyo, he began his professional life as a lawyer before abandoning everything to dedicate himself to winemaking, creating his own label, Kusuda Wines, in 2001 in Martinborough. He produced his first wine in 2002, from grapes grown on a small rented vineyard, and since then, his Pinot Noir has been considered one of the finest expressions of the grape variety in this region of New Zealand.
In the vineyard, the most important rule is the attention to detail to produce high-quality wines. Harvesting and grape selection are done manually, and production is limited.
In the glass, the wine reveals a splendid ruby color with garnet hues. Its aromatic profile is seductive and elegant, with notes of violet and red fruit, followed by herbaceous and undergrowth notes. On the palate, it is delicate and balanced, complex and rounded. It has smooth tannins, a silky texture, and a lively and refreshing acidity. The finish is long and recalls mineral notes. It is not your typical exuberant kiwi Pinot Noir, but a balanced and fragrant wine, capable of aging well for over a decade. Try it with gnocchi with duck ragu or stuffed guinea fowl breast.
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2023
INCL
20%
VAT
Get 1 reward point for every €1 you spend
Earn 1 reward point for every €1 you spend, valid for 80 days from the date of purchase. Redeem your points on your next order; 20 points equal €1 off.
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2023
- 2023
- 750ml
- Red
- 14%
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Noir
- Kusuda
- Martinborough
- New Zealand
- Vintage: 2023
- Size: 750ml
- Type: Red
- Alcohol: 14%
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Grapes: Pinot Noir
- Winery: Kusuda
- Region: Martinborough
- Country: New Zealand
- Vintage: 2023
- Size: 750ml
- Type: Red
- Alcohol: 14%
- Varietal: Pinot Noir
- Grapes: Pinot Noir
- Winery: Kusuda
- Region: Martinborough
- Country: New Zealand
Hiro Kusuda is an eclectic character. He produced his first wine in 2002, from grapes grown on a small rented vineyard, and since then, his Pinot Noir has been considered one of the finest expressions of the grape variety in this region of New Zealand. In the glass, the wine reveals a splendid ruby color with garnet hues. Its aromatic profile is seductive and elegant, with notes of violet and red fruit, followed by herbaceous and undergrowth notes. On the palate, it is delicate and balanced, complex and rounded. It has smooth tannins, a silky texture, and a lively and refreshing acidity. The finish is long and recalls mineral notes. It is not your typical exuberant kiwi Pinot Noir, but a balanced and fragrant wine, capable of aging well for over a decade
INCL
20%
VAT
Get 128 reward points
By making a purchase, you accumulate reward points that remain valid for a period of 80 days starting from the date they were earned. To check your current balance, you can access your account by logging in. If you have any inquiries concerning your account or any other issue, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Kusuda Pinot Noir 2023
As someone who has been ordering wine online regularly (22 orders and dozens of bottles since 2022), I have long appreciated 8Wines for offering access to interesting international labels and boutique styles that aren’t always readily available locally. However, a platform's true character isn't revealed when everything goes right; it's tested when a high-value bottle arrives compromised, and that is where 8Wines falls remarkably short. Over the last few years, I’ve spent well over €3,500 with 8Wines. When you spend consistently on a platform, you expect a baseline of mutual trust, especially when purchasing premium bottles where structural integrity is everything. Unfortunately, encountering damaged or flawed bottles on two separate occasions has brought to light a rigid, customer-unfriendly claims policy. A bottle of Susana Balbo Signature Malbec arrived completely cooked and oxidized. Despite detailing the structural defects, the customer service team deflected responsibility, demanded unreasonable layers of proof, and ultimately offered reward points rather than issuing a proper refund or replacement. One year later, another bottle, this time a high-end wine - the Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon arrived leaking in the box with visible stain traces under the capsule. Upon opening, the cork failure was undeniable, and the wine showed the distinct, flat overcooked notes of premature oxidation rather than its intended opulent fruit profile. Instead of acknowledging that cork failure and transport leakage, the 8Wines’ support team engaged in gaslighting. They attempted to lecture about the "jammy profile of the Wagner family." They argued that a leaking, stained bottle with a dry cork and premature oxidation was normal. Rather than standing behind the quality of their high-end stock, 8Wines offered a standard deflection playbook: no blame accepted, no refund given, and a small allocation of reward points thrown in as an appeasement. For a loyal customer who has spent thousands on the platform, being compensated with virtual points for a cooked, expensive wine is a disappointing resolution. Final Verdict 8Wines has an attractive catalogue and smooth shipping logistics when bottles survive the trip intact. But if you gamble on buying expensive, premium bottles here, be aware that you carry all the financial risk. If a cork fails or a bottle cooks in transit, don't expect a refund, expect a corporate email trying to convince you that flawed wine is just part of the "winemaker's style," followed by a handful of reward points to close the ticket, that if you insist upon, otherwise you will be left empty handed. Moving forward, I will reserve my purchases for everyday, lower-risk bottles, and buy any high-end, premium investments strictly from physical storefronts where visual inspection and immediate returns are actually honored.