The 2008 The Abyss Pinot Noir is named after a single block on the estate and produced from barrel selection thereof. Only 130 cases were made. Medium ruby colored, it displays an earthy/gamey nose with supporting notes of dark cherry, kirsch, some blackberry, tree bark, and touches of mocha and loam. Crisp, rich and medium to full bodied, this is a structured style with firm grainy tannins and a long finish. Still very tight, give this Pinot another year in bottle and drink 2012 to 2017+. On a ridge between the Omaka and Waihopai Valleys, overlooking the now iconic Spy Valley station, Churton’s Sam and Mandy Weaver have staked out a quietly beautiful, remote part of Marlborough. Their nearest neighbors are families of sheep – as far as the eye can see. Like a few quality focused Pinot pioneers in the region, they have taken to the hills, establishing their vineyard on a North East facing hillside at 200 meters. Their first vintage was 1997 and as the vines were planted and established, during the formative years the wines were made from gradually decreasing proportions of purchased fruit. From 2010 all the wines are being produced from estate grown fruit. As if they weren’t isolated enough, unlike most other New Zealand producers the Weavers have made a staunch stance to bottle their wines only under cork, believing that their wines develop better with this closure. Importer: H2Vino, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 533-4178