THIS WINE IS OFFERED ON A PRE-ARRIVAL BASIS. DUE SEPTEMBER 2026

“This is about the fruit and that fine savoury quality of the best Burgundies.” - Jancis Robinson, 18 points

“Should put a smile on every Pinot Noir lover’s face." - Bob Campbell (Master of WIne), 96 points

“A wine worth your time and attention.” - Cameron Douglas (Master Sommelier), 96 points

Great wines often follow a similar selective breeding pattern to racehorses and if there can be such a thing as a New Zealand wine thoroughbred, then this Pinot Noir must lay better claims than most. It was sired by Kiwi 'royalty', the husband-and-wife team of Matt Thomson, one of New Zealand's most prolific and award-winning winemakers, and his wife (Master of Wine and Chair of ‘Appellation Marlborough Wine’), Sophie Parker-Thomson, with grapes sourced from a single vineyard planted to a single clone (Dijon 777) and bottled without filtration to retain the purity of its fruit.

It's Marlborough Pinot Noir at its most seductive best, rich in silky fruit, but with lift and high tones, due in no small part to the inclusion of stems in the fermentation process. It has a decent structure, should you wish to lay it down for 2 or 3 years, but there's no need, as it’s already starting to show some lovely maturity now with its notes of autumnal woodland and undergrowth. 13% alc. Drink now-2034.

Press reviews:

JancisRobinson.com: “Light bricky red. Seductive aroma that is both savoury and sweet-fruited but without the candied fruit sweetness of some Marlborough Pinots. Fragrant with senescent red fruits, so inviting – the aroma is worth lingering over. A touch of spice from the oak but mostly this is about the fruit and that fine savoury quality of the best Burgundies but with a touch of New Zealand’s vibrant character from the combination of sunshine and cool temperatures. It has the freshness of part whole bunches but no obvious stemminess. Silky, deft tannins, excellent freshness and already in perfect harmony. Sophisticated NZ Pinot Noir that evolves in the glass. Delicious now but should have a long life ahead. Drink now-2033.” 18 points

The Wine Advocate: “The 2023 Upton Downs Vineyard Pinot Noir is light in the glass and leads with spiced strawberry, star anise, freshly grated nutmeg, red apple skins and pomegranate molasses. The tannins in the mouth are spicy and layered with coffee grounds, blood orange and exotic spices. This is very fine in the glass but has all the hallmarks of a wine that will age extraordinarily well. It's fresh, lacy and fine. Drink now-2033.” 94 points

Bob Campbell MW: "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

Cameron Douglas MS: “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

THIS IS OFFERED ON A PRE-ARRIVAL BASIS. DUE SEPTEMBER 2026