Anchorage and Torrent Bay 2014 Releases

12-Nov-2014

With a history of horticulture and agriculture in the Nelson region since 1880, the Drummond family has a strong connection and intimate knowledge of the land. They established their vines next to the mouth of the Motueka river in 2000 and now produce a strong range of wines under the ‘Anchorage’, ‘Torrent Bay’ and other labels that refer to the Abel Tasman National Park. Winemaker Stefan Heinrich hails from Heilbronn in Germany, and the 2014 releases are the second he has made for the Drummond family. I review a selection of the wines here. www.anchoragewines.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Torrent Bay Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Fruit from the ‘Bridge’ and ‘Flett Road’ vineyards, cool-fermented to 12.5% alc. and 4.04 g/L RS, the wine aged on fine lees. Bright straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, pale on rim. The nose is fresh and tight with light gooseberry fruit aromas along with chalky mineral elements and hints of limes and capsicums. Dry to taste and light-medium bodied, straightforward flavours of gooseberries and grass show with mineral elements. The mouthfeel is crisp with slippery acidity which carries the flavours on a dry, finely textured line to a moderately sustained finish with mouthwatering, grassy notes. This is a light, up-front Sauvignon Blanc with grassy and dry, minerally flavours. Serve with seafood, salads and vegetables over the next 2 years. 866 cases made. 16.5-/20 Nov 2014 RRP $16.99
Torrent Bay Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Brilliant, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues on edge. The nose is fresh with tight aromatic pear fruits intermixed with subtle hints of honeysuckle, spices and exotic floral and steely mineral elements. Off-dry to taste and light-bodied, light but moderately concentrated flavours of pears, honeysuckle and stonefruits are lifted with some youthful fermentation esters. The palate features a soft, lush core with some unctuous textures, balanced by refreshing acidity. The flavours recede on the back palate leading to a light, soft finish. This is a soft-textured, aromatic, off-dry Pinot Gris with pear and honied notes. Match with Asian fare over the next 2-3 years. Fruit predominantly from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, fermented to 13.0% alc. and 5.4 g/L RS, the wine aged several months on fine lees. 528 cases made. 16.5+/20 Nov 2014 RRP $16.99
Anchorage Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Brilliant pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, lighter on edge. The nose is soft and elegantly presented with ethereal aromas of white florals, fresh herbs and grassy, gooseberry fruit, revealing tropical fruit and fermentation esters with aeration. Dry to taste and light-medium bodied, up-front and lusciously juicy flavours of gooseberries are intermixed with tropical fruit and floral notes. The mouthfeel is racy, refreshing and slippery in texture, and the wine flows along a fine line to a light, lingering, herb-nuanced finish. This is a fresh-fruited, juicy Sauvignon Blanc with ethereal and aromatic flavours. Serve with seafood and Pacific Rim cuisine over the next 2 years. Fruit from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, given skin contact and cool-fermented to 12.5% alc. and 2.2 g/L RS, the wine aged on fine lees. 531 cases made. 17.0/20 Nov 2014 RRP $18.99
Anchorage Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Fruit predominantly from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, with ferments at different temperatures, the wine 13.0% alc. and 5.4 g/L RS, and aged on fine lees. Bright, light straw-yellow colour, pale on rim. The nose is very light with pure white floral and stonefruit aromas along with nuances of minerals and spice elements. Off-dry to taste and medium-light bodied, this has a tight core of light white and yellow floral and stonefruit flavours. The palate has good vinosity and presence, with soft textures and a gentle richness, the wine enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity. There is an underlying power and drive carrying the wine to a dry, fresh finish. This is a light and delicately flavoured off-dry Pinot Gris with vitality and vinosity. Serve with Thai, Japanese or Vietnamese cuisine over the next 2-3 years. 528 cases made. 16.5+/20 Nov 2014 RRP $18.99
Anchorage Nelson Gewurztraminer 2014
Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, very pale straw colour with some green hues, near colourless on rim. The nose is light and elegant, with delicate, steely, minerally infused aromas of rose-petal florals with nuances of Turkish Delight and musk. Off-dry to taste, clean, pure and refined flavours of rose-petal florals show with a gentle richness and sweetness. The palate is balanced by fresh acid cut, lending energy and tension and the wine is smooth-flowing. There is a degree of unctuousness, and musk elements emerge on mid-palate. The wine has a good core and follows a very fine line to a light, dry, lingering finish. This is a pure, smooth-textured, delicate off-dry Gewuztraminer to serve with mildly spicy Asian fare over the next 2-3 years. Fruit given skin contact and cool-fermented to 13.4% alc. and 9.5 g/L RS, the wine aged 2 months on lees. 135 cases made. 17.0/20 Nov 2014 RRP $18.99
Anchorage Nelson Chardonnay 2014
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Fruit from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, stainless-steel fermented to 12.7% alc. and 3.2 g/L RS, the wine aged in French oak and tank. Straw-yellow colour with slight golden hues. This has a light, uncomplicated nose of yellow stonefruits with nuances of apricots, honeysuckle and citrus fruits. Dry to taste and light-bodied, light flavours of stonefruits, savoury citrus fruit and apricot kernels are enlivened by racy and slippery acidity. This is straightforward and modest in depth. The mouthfeel is brisk and carried by the acid to a lightly textured, dry finish. This a light, simple, racy Chardonnay with stonefruit flavours. Serve as an aperitif and with seafood over the next 2 years. 519 cases made. 16.0/20 Nov 2014 RRP $18.99
Anchorage Nelson Pinot Rosé 2014
Rose from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 12-Nov-2014
☆☆☆☆☆
Moderately deep salmon-pink colour, lighter on rim. This has a fresh and aromatic, lifted nose with good volume of strawberry confectionary and savoury red florals with herbal nuances. Off-dry to taste, bright and refreshing flavours of strawberry and raspberry fruit are lifted by fruit pastille nuances. The palate is softly textured with a good core and the wine flows with good energy, the acidity slippery and smooth. This has a degree of unctuousness which carries through to a gently sweet, confectionary nuanced finish. This is a fruity off-dry rosé with strawberry and raspberry fruit pastille flavours and a slippery texture. Serve as an aperitif, with tapas and Mediterranean fare over the next 2 years. Pinot Noir fruit given 2 days skin contact and cool-fermented to 13.0% alc. and 6.48 g/L RS, the wine given lees contact. 322 cases made. 17.0/20 Nov 2014 RRP $18.99
Anchorage Nelson Pinot Noir 2014
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 28-Dec-2015
☆☆☆☆☆
Even garnet-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. The bouquet is soft and gently full with aromas of savoury red berry fruit melded with dried herbs, lifted by oft red floral elements, This is showing secondary complexities with a little undergrowth, the aromatics building with some depth and volume with aeration. Light-medium bodied, the palate features soft, but juicy flavours of savoury red berryfruit entwined with dried herb and lifted florals, and earthy, game-like secondary layers of interest. This has a harmonious, and softly integrated core with light, lacy acidity lending energy. The wine flows smoothly unveiling smoke, herb and game nuances on a soft, moderately sustained finish. This is a soft, lush and juicy, savoury red-fruited Pinot Noir with secondary interest, and a supple, but refreshing mouthfeel. Serve with mushroom pasta and risotto dishes over the next 2 years. Predominantly clone 667 fruit fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine matured in barrel and tank. 15.5+/20 Dec 2015 RRP $18.00 Predominantly clone 667 given a soak and fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 4 months in barrel and tank. Light ruby-red colour with a little depth, lighter on edge. The nose is fresh and intense, with bright primary aromas of red cherry fruit entwined with fresh cool-spectrum herbs and a touch of stalk, the aromas up-front and uncomplicated. Light-medium bodied, the palate features a core of herb infused cherry fruit, with fresh red berries and stalky elements. Bracing acidity enlivens the mouthfeel, and the wine follows a fine, dry, textural line, with acid drive leading to a brisk and racy finish. This is a crisp, racy, cherry and herb flavoured, light-bodied Pinot Noir. Serve with firm-fleshed seafood and antipasto over the next 2-3 years. 980 cases made. 15.5+/20 Nov 2014 RRP $20.99

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