Kukkula Iso 2021

Kukkula Iso 2021

Big, Bold and Built to Age

Kukkula – Finnish for “the hill” or “high place” – is the family estate of Finnish-American winemaker Kevin Jussila and his wife Paula on the west side of Paso Robles. Their steep, north-facing hillside vineyards in the Adelaida District rise to around 1,500–1,900 feet and are farmed organically and without irrigation, giving Rhône-style wines that balance California ripeness with real freshness. Most of the wines carry Finnish names – a tribute to Kevin’s roots.

Iso simply means “big” in Finnish. It is Kukkula’s most structured red – a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah that marries Rhône spice with Bordeaux-style backbone.

🍷 Tasting Notes

Blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry with cedar, tobacco and spice; full-bodied, with a firm frame of tannin and a long finish. Five years on, the 2021 has found its balance: the tannins have softened and fruit and oak have knitted together. Drinking beautifully now, with further cellaring potential.

🍽️ Food Pairing

Steaks, roast beef, rack of lamb, game and mature hard cheeses.

📋 Details

• Producer: Kukkula, Adelaida District, Paso Robles, California
• Grapes: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah (blend varies by vintage)
• Vintage: 2021
• Alcohol: 14 %
• Serve at: 16–18 °C