Reviews

Anthem Pinot Noir 2007 - Silver medal Royal Easter Show 2009

Medium garnet crimson red, deep core. Wonderfully sexy nose, framboise, vanilla oak notes, cherry, game pie, a grinding of spice and a sprinkle of herbs. Gorgeous in the mouth, very smooth, great integration of fruit, acid and oak. Like silk it appears to have a fragile delicacy, again like silk there is surprising strength under the illusion. Beautiful extended finish. Very classy indeed.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Red berries, exotic flowers and spices on the expressive nose. Suave on entry, then brisk and intense in the middle, with good texture and complexity to the flavors of red berries, earth, spices, wild herbs and graphite. Finishes with firm tannic bite.
Offers great lift and grip.

Burgundy wine blog.

Fruit dominates the nose. It is a dark red cherry. Very elegant wine which will age well. There is some obvious acid that needs time to soften. Perhaps a little too alcoholic at a bit of 14, but the extra sugar was probably necessary to balance the acid. This is 80% Gibbston fruit, and this tells with great silky mouthfeel. Oak is prominent but well handled."
16/20 (15/20 is regarded as a great score).

Bob Campbell

This is a new arrival at our cellars; Anthem from the Gibbston Valley. This classic vintage oozes "I am a top Pinot" with supple, silky tannins and a generous palate.

Anthem Pinot Noir “Discover” 2007 - Bronze medal Royal Easter Show 2009

Robert Parker - the wine advocate 90-95 "OUTSTANDING"

"Tasted blind, Discover Pinot noir was hand-picked and matured in 30% French barriques for 10 months. it is more introspective than others, but displays a well-defined nose with baked red cherries, a touch of black plum and a touch of bacon fat. the palate is medium bodied, very well-balanced and natural. Good acidity, sharp red-berried fruits, wild strawberry and orange peel provide the finish. very good breeding, great length, a lovely Pinot noir to drink between 2 - 5 years."

NEW ZEALAND HERALD - NEW DISCOVERY

"An impressive second label pinot from Anthem that has lots of fresh, bright cherry and berry fruit underpinned by a line of earthy minerally complexity and spice. Now with ex-Martinborough Vineyard's Claire Mullholland at the winemaking helm, this estate and its pinot is definitely one to watch."

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Anthem Pinot Noir Discover Central Otago (aged in 30% new French oak for ten months) Good deep red. Smoky red fruits show a musky quality. The palate offers intense, sweet red raspberry fruit that builds nicely toward the back, and finishes with noteworthy grip. Left behind a whiff of gunflint in the empty glass. With its combination of strong, fresh fruit and smoky minerality, this struck me as midway between Central Otago and Martinborough in style-hardly surprising as winemaker Claire Mulholland was the winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard from 1998 through 2005."

Bob Campbell

"A lean, tight and spicy Pinot Noir with cherry and wild herb characters. It's a rather elegant wine with a fine tannic skeleton. "

Anthem Pinot Gris - Gold Medal Royal Easter Show 2009

Robert Parker

" A medium Pinot Gris with a delicate, gentle aroma and a complex, warming finish. This is a superb food wine with hints of Fiejoa, Pear, Central Otago herbs and tropical fruits".

Anthem Sauvignon Blanc

Robert Parker 90-95 "Outstanding".

Great fruit comes through when warmer. On palate, guava and other exotic fruits. It's rich and limey and striking and long. A little bit of oak - a nice rich margarine character; some opulence. Impressive - worth the money. A great label, which will help the wine!

Anthem Gewurztraminer 2007

Charmian Smith - Food and wine writer - 4 Stars - "Great value". - 1st April 2009

Review from the Otago Daily times