Elephant Hill

21-Jul-2020

 

Established in 2003, Elephant Hill is located within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean on the idyllic Te Awanga coast of Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island.

With vineyard sources in Te Awanga, the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels, Elephant Hill has the fruit to make balanced blends and wines from varieties matched to the sub-region and soils. It also gives Elephant Hill the ability to make distinctive single vineyard or sub-regionally individual wines which highlight terroir in the appropriate vintages. Elephant Hill continues to consolidate its position as a top level Hawke’s Bay producer with its excellent blended ‘Estate’ wines.

https://elephanthill.co.nz/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Elephant Hill Estate Chardonnay 2018, Hawke’s Bay
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 18-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, medium yellow with a golden-green hue. The nose is softly-full and elegant with flavours of melon and stonefruit, along with light cream and a subtle butter tone; entwined with cashew nuts and a dusty layer of oak element. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, with flavours of honeydew melon, stonefruit and citrus, along with cream, cashew and oak spice element. The palate is creamy with a lightness; lively acidity balanced the creaminess and flows gracefully to a linear finish with a dusting of oak spices on a light and soft phenolic texture. This is a well-rounded Chardonnay with balanced acidity, carries the right proportion flavours of fruit, nuts and cream with elegance. Match with chicken ballotine and prawns over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from Te Awanga and Triangle Vineyard. Whole bunch pressed to ferment in French oak barriques, 28% new oak. 12.8% alc. No MLF, aged on lees for 12 months. 18/20pts June 2020 RRP $34
• Elephant Hill Estate Syrah 2018, Hawke’s Bay
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 18-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, medium dark-ruby with depth and a purple hue, lighter on edge. The nose is fragrant with depth nuances of violet, herbaceous, black pepper, along with a meaty, savoury note and oak spices; melded with dark plums and blackberries in the background. Medium-full bodied, the wine is plush with cushions, integrated and soft flavours of dark plums and blackberries; entwined with violet, dark herbs and black pepper; alongside meaty and savoury flavours, quite complex. Finely weaved tannin structure reminiscent of milk chocolate, leaves the palate a moderate layer of ripe, silky tannin. A concentrated core of fruit harmonized the savoury, meaty element. Balanced acidity carries the rich flavours to a lingering finish. This is a rich and plush Syrah with complexing flavours of black fruit, violet, dark herbs, along with savoury element and interweaved milk chocolate tannin. Match with grilled lamb and venison loin over the next 3-5 years. 12.9% alc. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $36
• Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge 2017, Hawke’s Bay
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 18-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, dark black-red colour, lighter on the rim. The nose is soft with good intensity aromas of berry fruit, cassis, plums, melded with herbaceous notes and integrated fragrant oak element. The palate is pleasantly soft and juicy berries, plums and cassis, entwined with herbs and toasty oak spices. Medium-bodied, the mouthfeel is smooth with ripe fine-grained tannin structure, providing a soft grip. The balanced acidity flows with good energy and freshness, to a rounded, linear, dry finish. This a soft and succulent Merlot dominant blend, exhibiting juicy red fruit and herbs, with an integrated fine-grained tannin structure supported by toasty oak detail. Match with red meat over the next 3-5 years. A blend of 72% Merlot, 27% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.4% alc. Aged 12 months in French oak, 25% new oak. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $26