Anchorage Family Estate 2015 and 2014 Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Anchorage Nelson Pinot Gris 2015
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, light straw-yellow colour with slight golden hues. This has a full, voluminous nose with straightforward, restrained aromas of yellow stonefruits, white florals, honeysuckle and nutty notes. This is quite easy and accessible. Off-dry and medium-bodied, the palate features a soft, rounded core of white and yellow stonefruits entwined with subtle nutty notes, with soft floral and honeysuckle elements. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth, the low acidity adding to the roundness, and the palate is carried by some background alcoholic drive, leading to a light, dry, stonefruit and nutty finish. This is a softly concentrated, light stonefruit-favoured off-dry Pinot Gris with nutty, floral and honeysuckle notes. Match with poultry and pork over the next 2 years. Fruit predominantly from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, cool-fermented to 13.0% alc. and 6 g/L RS, the wine aged several month on lees. 15.5+/20 Dec 2015 RRP $17.00
• Anchorage Nelson ‘Classic’ Riesling 2015
  Riesling from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from two estate vineyards in Riwaka, cool-fermented to 9.0% alc. and 24 g/L RS, and TA 8.2 g/L. Bright, lemon-hued straw-yellow colour, pale on the rim. This is light, fresh and clean with pure aromas of lime fruit along with white florals, suggestions of sherbet and refreshing mineral nuances, building in depth with aeration. Medium in sweetness and light-bodied, subtle and delicate flavours of limes fruit, white florals and honeysuckle form a fine-textured flowing line with enlivening lacy acidity. The residual sugar and fresh acidity are poised, and carry the flavours to a light, clear, finish of white florals and honeysuckle. This is a light, medium-sweet Riesling with delicate and pure flavours of lime fruit and white florals, and light, lacy acidity. Serve as an aperitif or with Asian fare over the next 3 years. 16.5-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $17.00
• Anchorage ‘St Urbanus’ Nelson Riesling 2014
  Riesling from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Named after the patron of winegrowers and winemakers. 50% of the fruit receiving overnight skin contact, and a small portion fermented in barriques to 11.0% alc. and 2.5 g/L RS, TA 6.8 g/L and pH 3.2, the wine aged 3 months on lees. Bright, even, light straw-yellow colour, paler on the rim. The bouquet is elegantly concentrated with fine and intense aromas of lime fruit entwined with secondary toasty elements. Very subtle, complexing savoury stonefruits, nutty and spicy nuances, mineral hints and a little oak emerges from the taut core. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is bright, lively and energetic with flavours of lime fruit along with white stonefruits, nuts, spices and secondary toasty nuances. This has good linearity, the wine following a soft, phenolic-textured, moderately concentrated line which leads to a soft, dry, light, but lingering finish. This is an elegantly concentrated, zesty, soft-textured, dry Riesling with lime and toasty flavours and nutty, spicy oak detail. Match with roasted seafood and poultry over the next 2-3 years. 16.5-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $17.00
• Anchorage Nelson Gewurztraminer 2015
  Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with a suggestion of light gold, pale edged. The nose is fresh and bright with up-front, moderately deep aromas of lychees, rose-petal florals, nuances of root ginger, musk and honey with herb and mineral detail. Off-dry to taste and light-bodied, the palate shows light and clean fruit flavours of exotic florals along with nuances of root ginger and musk. This has good body with fine phenolic structure, and combined with the soft acidity lends a hint of unctuousness. The wine carries to a soft, dry, spicy finish. This is a light, gently spicy, exotic floral Gewurztraminer with soft textures and a hint of unctuousness. Match with Asian and Middle Eastern fare over the next 2+ years. Fruit from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard and from a Riwaka site, cool-fermented to 12.4% alc. and 6.2 g/L RS. 16.0/20 Dec 2015 RRP $17.00
• Anchorage ‘Reserve’ Nelson Chardonnay 2014
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from the ‘Flett Road’ vineyard, fermented to 12.9% alc. and 6.5 g/L RS, the wine aged 10 months in barrel with full MLF. Bright, light yellow colour with some golden hues, lighter on the edge. This has a tightly bound, restrained and elegantly proportioned bouquet with aromas of white stonefruits and citrus fruits at the core. The aromatics show a steely freshness with delicate lemon-curd MLF, and sweet and spicy, nutty oak. This has an aromatic lift and fragrance. Dryish to taste and medium-bodied, fine and tightly held flavours of stonefruits and citrus fruits are entwined with lifted, aromatic herbal notes, nutty oak, and nuances of spice and toast, with a subtle detailed layering of lemon-curd MLF. The wine follows a soft-textured line with light, lacy acidity lending freshness, leading the palate to a subtle, crisp, citrussy and nutty finish. This is an elegant, fresh and crisp Chardonnay with restrained citrussy fruit and delicate oak and MLF notes. Serve with seafood and poultry over the next 2 years. 16.5-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $18.00
• Anchorage Nelson Montepulciano Rosé 2015
  Rose from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from a Brightwater vineyard given skin contact for half a day and cool-fermented to 12.0% alc. and 1.6 g/L RS, the wine aged on lees. Bright, light, strawberry pink colour with some depth and faint purple hues on the rim. The nose is tightly bound and fresh with aromas of red cherry fruit entwined with subtle confectionary and mouthwatering mineral notes, and nuances of earth and herbs. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is crisp and brisk, with racy acidity underlining the fruit flavours of cherry, savoury watermelon and confectionary. This has thirst-quenching mineral elements and the wine follow a fine-textural line, the acidity carrying the flavours of fresh and sour cherries to a lingering finish. This is a crisp, mouthwatering, cherry-fruited dry rosé with some confectionary lift. Serve as an aperitif and with canapes over the next 2 years. 16.5+/20 Dec 2015 RRP $18.00
• Anchorage Nelson Syrah 2015
  Syrah from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 28-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on the rime and youthful in appearance. The nose is fresh with deep aromas of black and dark red berry fruits entwined with white pepper and violet florals, spices, subtle herbal notes and a touch of complexing reduction. Light-bodied, the fruit flavours of lifted and spicy blackberry fruits are bright and straightforward in presentation. Some violet and black florals unfold with white and black pepper notes. The fruit is juicy with a degree of lusciousness, enlivened by bright and fresh acidity. The fruit is supported by modest, supple tannins, forming a light, linear core that carry the wine to a long finish of white nd black pepper and black berried fruits. This is a bright, uncomplicated, sweet black-berried Syrah with white pepper, fresh acid and supple mouthfeel. Match with pasta, pizza and barbecued fare over the next 2 years. Hand-picked fruit from a hillside vineyard overlooking the Waimea Plains, destemmed and fermented with oak to 12.5% alc. 16.0-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $18.00
• 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