A brooding, densely fruited style that fills the mouth with a silken, seamless core of fruit. It is so easy to be seduced by this intensely satisfying wine. The finest-grained tannins melt like butter while the acidity makes the mouth water. Aromas of black cherry are joined by oak-derived festive spices (32% new barrels) and a lifted herbal note derived from a small portion of whole-bunch fermentation. Slightly hazy, the wine is unfined and only coarsely filtered. Lovingly made, and that's reflected in the glass.

Kusuda's 2018 Pinot Noir is only medium ruby in color, but it boasts gorgeous aromas of black tea, rose petals, gentle spices and just-ripe cherries. While the initial impression is one of great delicacy, this medium-bodied wine reveals a sinuous strength on the palate, a framework of wiry acids and silken tannins that supports the charming complexities and extends the mouthwatering finish. Don't be fooled by its forward charm into thinking it won't age more than a few years—this should still be drinking well a decade from now.