The 2008 Hillside Reserve Pinot Noir was matured for 20 months in 75% new French oak barriques. Medium ruby colored, it has intense black cherry and earth aromas with touches of pomegranate, violets, cloves and moss and a whiff of iron ore. Full bodied with medium-firm very fine tannins, there’s a good backbone of high acid. Well constructed, this is a classy Pinot with great balance and a long finish. Give it another 6 to 12 months in bottle and drink it through 2015. Mike and Jo Eaton have staked-out and planted a very impressive hillside vineyard in the Omaka Valley, focused mainly at producing high quality Marlborough Pinot Noir, though they also have the magic touch when it comes to Sauvignon and Merlot of all things. Winemaking is hands-off here, with a focus on the immaculately tended, hand nurtured vineyards.Importer: Sober Imports, New York, NY; tel. (914) 715-1243