This Pinot was among the most exciting new wines that I tasted for this report! Kusuda’s 2010 Pinot Noir was 100% destemmed and cold soaked for approximately 5 to 6 days as whole berries then fermented in open stainless steel vats with pumping-over and hand plunging for a total period of maceration 20 to 27 days. It was aged in French (24% new) oak barriques for 14 months and bottled unfined with a coarse filtration. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it has lovely aromas of black and red cherries, violets, cedar, pepper, cloves, soy and toast. Medium to full-bodied, it has a great concentration of spiced black berry flavors in the mouth supported by a medium level of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing long and layered. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2019+. Kusuda does not currently have a USA importer.