95 POINTS "So much rose petal and hibiscus with some stem as well as perfectly ripe strawberries. This has medium body and refined tannins that are creamy and round, focusing at the end with just a bit of sweet and subtle fruit. Drink or hold." James Suckling, November 2024
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
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.
