Vineyard: Anthem Vineyard

Subregion: Gibbston Valley
Region: Central Otago
Vintage: 2021
Soil Type: Schist derived, windblown alluvial loess
Viticulture: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)
Growers/Manager: Dave Henderson / Jase Thomson 

Winemaker's Notes: 

The incredibly picturesque Anthem Vineyard in the Gibbston Valley is proving itself. It delivers riveting floral aromatics, elegance and velveteen tannins year after year. We think it's one of the most special sites in Central and this vintage continues with its theme of serious savouriness and class. 

The 2021 vintage has that beautiful contrast between lifted florals and crunchy red fruits as well as a savoury, sappy complexity suggesting forest floor and subtle smoked game. Structurally this comes in the perfect Gibbston package of fresh acidity and satiny, sleek tannins. A real charmer that encapsulates why we love this Central Otago subregion so much.

Wild fermentation, 50% whole-cluster inclusion and a low-toast oak regime gives elegance, complexity and structure to the wine. Maintaining our minimalist philosophy, we bottle without filtration which means nothing is taken away though a natural deposit will occur over time.

Reviews: 

5 STARS "Showing distinct Gibbston sub-regional characteristics, the perfumed, elegant, supple 2021 vintage (*****) is a single-vineyard red, hand-picked from 21-year-old vines.  Matured for 11 months in French oak barriques (35 per cent new), it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.  Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, vibrant and savoury, with fresh acidity and deep, ripe cherry, plum, spice and herb flavours, that build to a long, harmonious, finely structured finish.  A youthful, vigorous, multi-faceted wine, it should break into full stride from 2026 onwards." Michael Cooper, July 2024

95 POINTS - OUTSTANDING "The bouquet is both vibrant and pure, a core of plush, ripe red berry fruit scents and flavours are held in place with tannins and acidity showing their own energy and power. As the wine touches the palate the tannins show their muscle first with a savoury dried herb layer yet long in focus, and easily absorbed by the fruit flavours. Dark cherry and red currant flavours, some plum and raspberry. The oak delivers complexity and baking spice flavours, a touch of smoke and frames the wine well. Youthful, complex and lengthy with best drinking likely from 2027 through 2037." Cameron Douglas MS

94 POINTS "The vividly aromatic notes of Morello cherry, suffused with the gorgeous pepperiness of rain-wet briar hedges, immediately signal the poise and red-fruited nature of Gibbston. The fruit is ripe, absolutely juicy but remains wonderfully translucent, with every berry and cherry nuance, every shimmer of spiciness, highlighted by brilliant acidity and supported by silk chiffon tannins. The inclusion of 50% whole bunches in the ferment and masterfully integrated use of low-toasted oak only help to heighten the delicacy of this Pinot." Anne Krebiehl MW, Decanter 29 July 2024 'Exploring the terroir and stylistic evolution of Central Otago Pinot Noir' 

95 POINTS - TOP RANK "Delicately scented wine with an appealing floral lift together with a suggestion of fresh herbs and spices. Complex wine with a silken texture that is a pleasure to taste. Should develop well in the medium term" Bob Campbell MW, 03 AUG 2024

2019 Vintage:

95 Points - "The Anthem Vineyard sits in the coolest part of Central Otago – which itself is the most southerly vineyard region in the world – and when it escapes frost and is able to ripen its fruit, the Gibbston Valley can sing sweetly. The 2019 Pinot Noir Anthem Vineyard is undeniably cloudy, being unfiltered, but this means all the good stuff is left in. It is mysterious and brooding, luring you into a labyrinth of flavours and textures. Its cool origins (plus the inclusion of whole clusters) are on display in its exotically spiced fragrance of woody herbs, wormwood, pine and red cherry. Soothing in its feel and caress, this is a wine that acts as the equivalent of two nights in a spa hotel. Round but never heavy with supple tannins that lightly coat your cheeks, this is a hugely pleasurable wine already and will continue to be over the medium term." Vinous | Rebecca Gibb MW, May 2023

95 Points - Outstanding "Fabulous bouquet of delicacy and perfume, complexity and charm. Aromas of pressed roses and cherry flesh, there’s a fine savoury quality layering finesse and detail. Oak offers moments of spice and sweetness. On the palate - delicious, layers of texture and finesse with flavours to reflect the variety and complexity with strawberry and cherry, red apple and spice. Perfectly balanced with a fine chalky mouthfeel, fine tannins and medium+ acid line. Best drinking from 2023 through 2027+." Cameron Douglas MS 

95 Points - Elegant, fine-textured pinot noir with fine herbs, mixed spice and hedgerow aromas. High energy wine with a seamless texture. Nicely structured with fruit/alcohol sweetness balanced against fine, drying tannins. 20/12/2022 Bob Campbell MW

2018 Vintage: 

18.5 Points (#1 NZ Pinot Noir 2018) "Mid smudgy cherry red and already showing some development in the colour with a soft pink rim. Aroma of succulent but tart red cherry and a hint of orange and just very slightly smoky to add further complexity. Lifts beautifully from the glass: scented, inviting. Classic freshness of this cool, late-ripening subregion but it is fully ripe. Intense purity of fruit here, the whole-bunch component in the background and just adding further freshness and a lovely, subtle herbal aspect. Tannins are super-fine, almost chalky, then silky on the day after opening. Great length, and tastes much younger than the colour might have suggested. Vibrant, refined, daringly light and dry and yet with great substance, persistence and tenderness. Confirms my love of the best Gibbston wines." Julia Harding MW | JancisRobinson.com 27/01/2022

95 Points - Outstanding. "Ripe, intense, richly scented, varietal and fruity bouquet with aromas of ripe dark cherries and plums. There’s a definitive dried herb, savoury complexity - classic Otago message - then aromas of smoky oak with a quiet clove baking spice suggestion. All the action for this wine is on the palate - it’s delicious with a detailed story of spices and fruits, textures and length, concentration and a sense of place. Tannins are fine and polished, oak has a nut-like quality alongside the toast-wood. The core of fruit finishes with a floral note - a flick forming part of a lengthy youthful finish. Fabulous drinking now and through 2026+. Definitely a wine of discussion." Cameron Douglas MS 22/08/2020

5 Stars ***** "Drinking well now, but still unfolding, the 2018 vintage (5*) is a single-vineyard red, hand-harvested from 19-year-old vines at Gibbston and matured for a year in French oak casks (34 per cent new). Ruby hued, it is floral and supple, in an intensely varietal style with generous, cherryish, slightly nutty flavours, a hint of herbs, fresh acidity, and excellent complexity and harmony." Michael Cooper, June 2022 

94 Points "Elegant, supple pinot noir with floral, dark cherry, five spice and grape stem flavours. A surprisingly approachable wine with restrained power. It should develop well." Bob Campbell MW 26/8/2020

92 Points - Outstanding (Top 10 + second highest score in report for NZ)
"A moderately high-toned nose reflects the whole clusters with its intensely
floral characters along with spice hints on the cool red berry fruit scents.
There is good vibrancy and delineated medium-bodied flavors that possess fine
depth and length on the balanced finish that is supported by bright but not
drying acidity. Lovely and solidly age worthy. 92/2026+" Allen Meadows | Burghound

93 Points “Before you take a slurp, enjoy the nose of this over a few sniffs, because it keeps changing, evolving from violets to anise, cedar and sweet damson. This is a very relaxed wine style; there's no sense of trying to be something it’s not. The tannins are resolved, providing a fine powdery veil, while juicy acidity floods the mouth on the medium-long finish. Already accessible and will continue to evolve for at least 4–7 years.” Rebecca Gibb MW for Vinous Media, March 2021.

93 Points "Attractive and well-executed, modern pinot style here with gently meaty reduction, spicy and toasty oak and bright red cherries, all nicely wound together. The palate has a very plush, smoothly layered and supple feel with bright red-cherry flavors. Impressive shape and depth here. Drink or hold. Screw cap." Nick Stock | JamesSuckling.com November 2020 

View the Anthem Vineyard 

View Tasting Notes - 2019 | 2018