Blank Canvas
Upton Downs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 750ml

New Release

ACCOLADES

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+.'

96 POINTS | CAMERON DOUGLAS MS | JULY 2025

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‘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.’

96 POINTS | BOB CAMPBELL MW | JULY 2025

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‘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.’

95 POINTS | NZ WINES OF THE YEAR LIST & BEST WINEMAKER | SUSIE & PETER NEW ZEALAND WINES OF THE YEAR | JANUARY 2026

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‘Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of green, stemmy herbs and raspberry leaves. In the mouth, raspberry fruit and leafy notes mix with citrus peel, framed by gauzy tannins and bright acidity. Fresh, energetic, and thrumming with life.’

9-9.5 POINTS | ALDER YARROW | JANUARY 2026

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‘Bright ruby. A distinctive nose of tomato stalk, flint smoke and pomace suggesting whole bunch and/or site expression. With persistent coaxing, measured vanilla and cinnamon oak rises to the fore, followed by sweet roses, bramble and wild raspberry. The light-weight palate is equally restrained, tightly framed by sleek, coffee-ish tannins and driving acidity which facilitates incredible length, eventually revealing a crystalline heart of red, floral fruit. Despite its reticence and deceptively quiet expression, this is undeniably classy, elegant and intricate. It just needs time to unfold.’

95 POINTS | STEPHEN WONG MW | AUGUST 2025

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‘This is very fragrant and spicy, showing clove, ripe-cherry, vanilla and roasted spice aromas, followed by a medium-bodied, flavorful palate, with ripe and fine tannins supporting the spicy fruit. Excellent length and concentration. From the Upper Awatere Valley. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

94 POINTS | CLAIRE NESBITT | JAMES SUCKLING.COM | JULY 2025

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‘Grown in the upper Awatere Valley, the distinctive, energetic 2023 vintage (****1/2) has an appealing lightness of touch.  Bright ruby, it is harmonious and silky textured, with ripe cherry, red berry, spice and nut flavours, a hint of herbs, fresh acidity, and savoury notes adding complexity.  A youthful, very elegant red, it's well worth cellaring to mid-2027+.’

4.5 STARS | MICHAEL COOPER MA ONZM | SEPTEMBER 2025

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‘The 2023 Pinot Noir Uptown Downs is an herbal funfair in a glass. This aromatic, richly fruited, medium-bodied red has a succulent texture and delectably mellow tannins. Fine cherry notes and a tea leaf fragrance linger long.’

91 POINTS | REBECCA GIBB MW | VINOUS | From: New Zealand Reds: Making the Bucket List | JULY 2025