2016 'Upton Downs' Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Pale ruby – not 100% clear? Funky, mushroomy nose and decidedly sweet palate. Good freshness and texture and probably distinctly different from its neighbours. But perhaps it could do with being just a mite more refreshing? Good effort though. (JR)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
From a vineyard on an elevated (400 m) river terrace in the Upper Awatere Valley – clay and silt with some gravel. Clone 777. 40% whole bunch. 25% new oak – most of the wine in new barrels was lost to the earthquake. Bottled unfiltered June 2017. Lightish mid ruby, not star bright because unfiltered. Pretty, aromatic red fruits with the freshness of stem influence but without being overtly stemmy – the freshness and structure of stems but no greenness. Already quite complex on the nose, with hints of floral and citrus as well as the red fruits. There's intensity without unwanted concentration, the fruit is sweet but not overly so and the tannins already silky. Freshness to the long finish. (JH)