96 POINTS -Named in the Top NZ Wines of 2025 - OUTSTANDING 'A wine of intensity and tension, texture and length. Aromas and flavours of red berries and charry flesh, dusty clay soils and gentle savoury spice layers. The palate show the same yet with an elegant and charming personality and poise. The tannins and acidity delivery and drive and power framing the fruit that perfectly showing a softer plush plate layer. Lengthy and delicious. Even better on days 3 and 4. A wine worth your time and attention with best drinking from 2029 through 2036+.'
CAMERON DOUGLAS MS | JULY 2025.
96 POINTS -‘Elegant, gentle wine with surprising power and flavours suggesting raspberry sherbet dab, red rose petal that linger tantalisingly on a lengthy finish. Charming pinot noir that should put a smile on every pinot noir lover’s face.’
BOB CAMPBELL MW | JULY 2025.
95 POINTS - ‘This Upton Downs is sourced from over the hills in inland Awatere, where the dry, cool climate, complex soils and Dijon 777 clone give a wine style that’s pale and perfumed, with a vibrant freshness and lift. There’s an intriguing earthy, gamey, dusty character here, with dried herbs and pomegranate seed. It’s definitely on the lighter end of the spectrum – more Volnay than Gevrey, if you will – but with an upbeat vibrancy and drinkability that speaks very much of Awatere.’
NZ WINES OF THE YEAR LIST & BEST WINEMAKER | SUSIE & PETER NEW ZEALAND WINES OF THE YEAR | JANUARY 2026
The Upton Downs delivers a Pinot Noir of beguiling poise and perfume, born of high-altitude exposure, a cool dry microclimate and the layered, complex soils of the Upper Awatere. The bouquet opens with lifted violet and wild red berry aromas threaded with rose petal and subtle forest floor. On the palate it is elegant yet firmly structured, where silky tannins and bright acidity frame concentrated cherry, pomegranate and savoury spice, while careful whole-bunch inclusion add lift and tensile energy. The finish is long, mineral and compelling, promising early pleasure and confident age worthiness.
