This Pinot Noir is an earthy, structured wine with a nose of fallen twigs, moss, cranberries, and a hint of violets. It has a light to medium body, with grainy tannins and refreshing acidity, adding to its complex and serious character. The wine is framed by mineral inflections, showcasing the intense flavors of the clay-loess soils where the vines thrive. A distinctive expression of Marlborough, this wine is a great reflection of its terroir.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 92
Published: Mar 28, 2017

This bottling is a much more savory and spicy rendering than the regular Churton bottling. The tannins are quite articulated and really a feature of the overall impression of the wine. Zippy, succulent finish. This grips nicely. Drink now.

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Apr 28, 2016
Drink: 2016-2020

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 The Abyss Pinot Noir has a complex, very serious nose of fallen twigs, moss and fragrant earth over a core of cranberries, currants and raspberry leaves plus a waft of violets. Light to medium-bodied, this is an earthy, highly structured style with a solid frame of grainy tannins a refreshing acidity supporting the delicate, earthy flavors, finishing with mineral inflections. 

Churtonwines.co.nz

The Single Block Collection

The Abyss is the first block we planted in 2000. The vines grow on a beautiful east facing slope that ends abruptly: a steep cliff drops down to the Omaka River 50 metres below.  The vines thrive in the clay-loess soils, providing fruit that displays intense flavour and structure while  The Abyss Pinot Noir always maintains beautiful freshness thanks to the aspect, which protects it from the intense afternoon sun.