Elephant Hill Hawke's Bay Merlot 2019

Description

Oak, Plum, Vanilla

"Deep ruby-red, slightly lighter on the rim. It has an attractive, elegant bouquet with plum, red berry, cassis, cedar, vanilla, and clove aromas. Full-bodied, aromas of plum, red berry and cassis are bright and succulent, layering with cedar, vanilla and clove. The lush fruit is the star, accompanied by elegant tannin extraction and oak spices, lending a dry, moreish finish. An excellent Merlot dominant blend, flaunting luscious fruit and a fine tannin structure" Candice Chow, Raymon Chan Reviews, Jun 2024

"Beautifully maturing with complexity and harmony, the wine shows dark berry, dried herb, toasted nut and mixed spice aromas on the nose. The palate delivers succulent fruit intensity with supple texture and delightfully infused tannins, finishing persistent and refined. At its best: now to 2030" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, May 2024

"An excellent bouquet of variety and ripeness, earthy qualities and enticement. On the palate flavours of red and purple plums, dark cherry and iron sand. Additional ideas of dark roses and stone, baked plum and wood spices follow. An abundance of polished tannins deliver texture and breadth, acidity sets the structure in place and core fruits deliver power and intensity. A lovely wine ready to drink from 2024 through 2030" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Jun 2024

Elephant Hill produces handcrafted, small batch, artisanal wines from a blend of up to three sustainably farmed Hawke's Bay vineyards that each contributes a distinctive elemental character: SEA, EARTH & STONE.

years. Overall, the season was very warm with a total heat summation (1,425 Growing Degree Days) well above the Long-Term Average. The key ripening months of January and February were warm and dry. This combined with low crop yields, good flavour and careful selection allowed us to harvest fruit in excellent condition in the 2nd week of March.

Hand picked from two inland vineyard sites, with Bridge Pa Triangle contributing a soft, fleshy character and Gimblett Gravels concentrated, well structured fruit. 20% aged in new French oak for 15 months, the balance in older seasoned barrels and tank.