• French oak
• Red licorice
• Raspberry & spice
• Plush finish

"Immensely complex and engaging, the wine shows dark plum, spicy oak, clove and violet characters with nuances of cured meat and dark cocoa. The concentrated palate offering multi-layered mouthfeel, wonderfully complemented by ripe fruit intensity and savoury nuances, leading to a lengthy plush finish. At its best: now to 2032" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Sep 2021

"Deep ruby-red with a black hue, lighter on edge, youthful in appearance. The nose is elegant, with power, gently filling the glass with aromas of black plums, blackberries, melded with an amalgam of spices, black pepper, cinnamon, star anise, unfolding cedar and meaty nuances. Full-bodied, aromas of black plums and blackberries have depth and concentration, interweave liquorice roots, violets, and spices, followed by cedar, dark earthy minerals and meaty notes. The wine is rich and complex with dark details of fruit, spice and earth; mid-palate is creamy and bright, supported by balanced, lively acidity. A firm and minerally, fine-grained tannin extraction lends an opulent mouthfeel, provides vitality and, lingers with roasted coffee to a lengthy, satisfying finish. This complex and powerful Syrah shows dark fruit, spices and earth with depth and continually unfolding finer details. Match with venison with a rich sauce and roasted lamb over the next 10-15 years" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, Sep 2021

"Seamless, smooth, and velvety, this plush Syrah is brimming with ripe red plum, redcurrant, and lovely hints of violets and spice. The rounded middle palate with its barely there tannins leads to a juicy berry finish. Enjoy with game dishes or a perfectly cooked steak" The Wine Writer, Oct 2021

"Fine, varietal, complex and pure fruited bouquet. Aromas and flavours of red licorice and raspberry, some black currant then soft smoky barrel spices and a touch of powdered pepper. Dry on the palate with a mix of firm and fine tannins with a polished fine mouthfeel, a back bone of acidity carrying flavours of fruits and spices as well as some olive and fried herb. Flavours of barrel and lees gain intensity with each sip, carrying fruit and non-fruit flavours seamlessly. Wonderfully balanced with a core for fruit, salivating textures and lengthy finish. A wine ready to enjoy from purchase and through 2028+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Sep 2021

Red licorice and raspberry with undertones of smoky barrel spices. A wonderfully balanced Syrah.

Hand-picked grapes from their Gimblett, Bridge Pa and Te Awanga vineyards have all contributed to the 2018 Reserve Syrah.

“The best Vintage on record?” A big claim and one they hear perhaps very often in some parts of the industry, but for the vineyards at Elephant Hill the 2018 Vintage has produced the best of all possible outcomes. Not only have they met their yield target (98.5%), but more importantly, they have produced the flavour profiles that are required to produce superior Reserve and Icon quality wines. The warmer 2018 vintage has produced a wine with elegance and concentration that will reward cellaring until 2030.

Small ferments ranging from 1 to 5 tonnes combining traditional open top oak cuves and stainless open top fermenters. The ferments were hand plunged and the wine was then aged for 24 months in 35% new French oak with an additional 4 months in tank on lees. There was no fining and minimal filtration.

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. The winemaking at Elephant Hill is driven by tradition while not losing sight of what innovation can bring to the blend. Their aim is to make wines that are balanced, elegant and a true expression of the vineyards they come from.