Chichibu 2015 Kusuda Pinot Noir (BBR)

Chichibu 2015 Kusuda Pinot Noir (BBR), ~10 YO, 65.2 %

Image © Whisky Base

A Chichibu release bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd. Distilled 2015, and bottled 2025. Fully matured in a single ex-Kusuda pinot noir cask (cask #4415). Limited to 211 bottles. My first question here was “What is a Kusuda Pinot Noir”. I’m not a wine nerd (yet), still limiting myself to keeping track of what I like and do not like in terms of wine. I am able to distinguish (with no blind fold, though!) between a white wine and a red wine, and I have Vivino help me keep track of what grapes and regions to seek out and which ones to avoid - based on the 400+ wines I’ve logged so far. Anywho - back to Kusuda Pinot Noir. When I ask my close, personal friend ChatGPT this is the brief summary (I’ve fact checked it):

“Kusuda Pinot Noir is an acclaimed, highly sought-after red wine produced by Kusuda Wines in Martinborough, New Zealand. Established in 2001 by Tokyo-born winemaker Hiroyuki "Hiro" Kusuda, the estate is renowned for its extreme, meticulous hand-harvesting and minimalist winemaking style that yields aromatic, complex, and age-worthy Pinot Noir.”

Nose: Very fruity, rich and attention-grabbing from the first sniff. With time, dried fruits emerge, especially dates and raisins, alongside red berries. Then comes my grandma’s famous homemade caramel pudding: extra eggs, real vanilla sticks and all. A wonderfully rich and nostalgic note.

Taste: Full bodied. The alcohol is impressively well integrated. Water is hardly required, although I imagine many would prefer adding some. Super potent and vibrant, bursting with life. Fruity, juicy and rich, with plenty of red berries and dried orange zest drizzled over strawberries.

Finish: Medium to long. Cool, fruity and intensely rich throughout, yet dryish in character. Red berries, soft oakiness and mild spices provide complexity from here to the robotics lab. Finishes on honey sprinkled with white pepper, ginger and mint.

Comment: Potent, vibrant and gloriously complex. 

Score 91/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas