Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Le Phant Rouge 2019

Description

• French oak
• Plum & blueberry
• Cedar & leather
• Fine tannins

"Deep, ruby-red, lighter edged. This has an elegant, cheery bouquet, aromas of succulent blackcurrants, plums entwined with leather, cedar and spices with depth and intensity. Medium-full bodied, the palate is mouth-filling, well-packed nuances of blackcurrants, plums interweave cedar, leather, unfolding nutmeg and liquorice. The flavours are delicate with intensity, enlivens by fresh, lacy acidity; fine-grained tannin extraction supports a fine structure and velvety mouthfeel. This is a consistent overachiever with succulent fruit, fine structure and depth. Match with beef wellington and lamb racks over the next 6-8 years" Candice Chow, Rymond Chan Wine Reviews, Aug 2021

"A splendid merlot-dominant blend with malbec and syrah in good supporting role, it’s beautifully lifted on the nose with Black Doris plum, blueberry, floral and elegant oak notes, leading to a succulent palate that’s supple and flavoursome with a lovely silky flow. Well structured too, making it wonderfully appealing. At its best: now to 2032" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Aug 2021

"I was very excited to taste this new release as I LOVED the last one, and I was not disappointed. Concentrated, deep ruby in colour with concentrated, deep aromas to match. Beautiful ripe dark and red plum, boysenberry, red currant, and oak spices are on the nose and on the palate, with fine dusty tannins and a deliciously long finish. Buy it, and drink it, you can thank me later" Angie Atkinson, The Wine Writer

"An immediately enticing core of dark red fruit aromas - Doris plums and blackberry,  some raspberry and milk chocolate then a layer of fine stony soil suggestions. On the palate - fruity, vibrant, salivating and dry. Flavours mirror the bouquet with fine tannins and youthful acid line. A lovely velvety texture coats the palate layering a great mouthfeel and touch of finesse and finishing with flavours of red berries, spice and chocolate. Well made and ready to drink upon day of purchase, I recommend you imbibe with food alongside. Best drinking from 2021 through 2023+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

It is a medium-bodied Merlot dominant blend displaying cassis, plum and red cherry characters with a succulent texture and great finish. Savoury bouquet and palate with smokey oak, rosemary and star anise with soft undertones of leather. Very soft but warming white pepper notes that warm and compliment the silky tannin to complete a rounded mouth feel.

The Le Phant Rouge is a Hawke’s Bay red blend made up of Merlot 50%, Malbec 25%, Syrah 23% and Cabernet Sauvignon 2%, sourced from their Bridge Pa Triangle 84%, Gimblett Gravels 10% and Te Awanga 6% vineyards.

The grapes were carefully de-stemmed to open top steel cuves and fermented over a fourteen day period. The wine went through malolactic fermentation with minimal handling and light oak elevage for 12 months.

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.