The 2010 Churton Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand, is a biodynamically farmed, organic wine produced by Sam and Mandy Weaver at their small hillside vineyard in the Waihopai Valley. This vintage is described as a flavorsome, medium-weight Pinot Noir with a pleasing density of red and dark fruit flavors. It exhibits musk rose, red cherry, and strawberry aromatics with hints of savory flavors, complex dried herb, and spice notes. The wine is textured with fine tannins, good acidity, and a long, delicate fruit persistence, offering a balance of New World fruit intensity and Old World finesse. The 2010 vintage was noted as an excellent growing season, with whole-bunch fermentation and 14 months of aging in French oak (20% new), contributing to its complexity and savory, vegetal character with rhubarb, roasting chestnut, and earthy red berry notes.
Food Pairings
The 2010 Churton Pinot Noir’s savory and fruit-forward profile makes it versatile for food pairings. Recommended pairings include:
- Meaty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, swordfish, monkfish, or tuna, due to the wine’s richness and acidity.
- Poultry and Game: Roast poultry, duck, or goose, as the wine’s savory and spicy notes complement these dishes.
- Red Meat: Rare roast beef, as the wine’s structure and tannins can stand up to heartier meats.
- Vegetarian Dishes: Mushroom-based dishes or roasted root vegetables, which pair well with the wine’s earthy and vegetal notes.
- Spicy Foods: For later vintages, Churton’s Pinot Noir has been suggested with spicy curries, indicating the 2010’s spice and fruit could also work with mildly spiced dishes.
Critics Reviews
- Natalie MacLean (2010 Vintage): “Stunning! Wake up your senses with this zesty New Zealand Pinot Noir!” No numerical score provided, but the review highlights its vibrant and engaging character.
- Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller (Feb/March 2015, 2012 Vintage but relevant for style): “An organic and biodynamic pinot noir with pleasing density of red and dark fruit flavours. A complex and concentrated wine with impressive power and richness. It is nicely structured with good cellaring potential. A highly individual pinot.” 95 points. This suggests the 2010, from an excellent vintage, likely shares similar complexity and structure.
- Anonymous Reviewer (2013 Vintage but referencing 2010 growing season): Noted the 2010 vintage as “an excellent growing season” with a pleasing pale but youthful color, vegetal and rhubarby notes, hints of roasting chestnuts, spice, and earthy red berry fruit. The palate is savory with fruity spices, fine grippy tannins, and good acidity, with cherry fruit softening the profile and smoky oak undertones. Described as complex and evolving, suitable for aging.
- No specific critic scores were found for the 2010 standard Pinot Noir, but the winery’s reputation and the 2010 ‘The Abyss’ bottling suggest high quality, with critics praising Churton’s consistent finesse and mineral-driven style.
Drink Window
- The 2010 Churton Pinot Noir is suggested to be drinking well now but with aging potential. Based on reviews of similar vintages (e.g., 2011 suggested to drink through 2017, 2019 through 2029), the 2010 likely peaked around 2015–2020 but could still be enjoyable through 2025 for well-stored bottles, especially given its fine tannins and acidity.
- For the 2010 ‘The Abyss’ Pinot Noir, its exceptional vintage status and structure suggest it may still be drinking well into 2025–2027, though it’s likely at or past its peak.
