Elephant Hill Hawke's Bay Syrah 2021

Description

Floral, Oak, Plum

"Sweetly fruited and inviting, the bouquet reveals Black Doris plum, wild strawberry, olive, game, and roasted nut aromas. It's equally appealing on the palate, displaying succulent fruit intensity, a supple texture, and layers of fine tannins, making it splendidly balanced with a lengthy, sturdy finish. At its best: now to 2031" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit 

"Very nice bouquet, varietal and impactful with scents of violets and dark raspberry, layers of earth and wood smoke and a light peppercorn quality. A dry wine with a fleshy, salivating mouthfeel, flavours of stones and dry clay then a mild smoky wood and lees quality. Tannins are beginning to soften at the edge as they integrate yet have a firmness and youthful power still. Acidity and fruit flavours remain fresh and youthful and sit nicely mid palate. Well made with medium+ length and deliciousness. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2033" Cameron Douglas MS

"Deep ruby-red, even colour throughout. The nose is rich, with aromas of black cherry, black plum, dried herbs, game and spice. Medium-full bodied, aromas of black cherry and plum, entwined with dried herbs, liquorice, black pepper, dark cocoa and cured meat. The fruit is pure, enriched with dried herbs and spices, and with a gentle touch of meaty nuance. Velvety tannins provide structure and extend a broody, rich finish. This Hawke's Bay Syrah possesses great structure, bright fruit and a rich presence. Match with roasted lamb and wild boar over the next 5+ years" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews

"Notes of tertiary complexity have started to emerge here: savoury, toasty and earthy with subtle pepper, marjoram and carob laid over a base of plum and blackberry. The palate is elegant and flowing, showing a cooler, more perfumed aspect with taut, saline acidity supporting the grainy, long tannins. It has entered its drinking window, although it will continue to mellow over the next year or two" Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review 

Ripe berry aromas followed by spice notes, juicy and rich, red fruits, plum and cherry flavours. Soft, easy textures and a silky finish. Very moreish and generous in character.

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 of SEA, EARTH & STONE.

2021 completes a trifecta of outstanding Hawke’s Bay vintages. A warmer-than-average summer period followed by a dry and cooler autumn has produced wines with elegance and good levels of natural acidity. Fresh, concentrated, and complex whites and pure, ripe and elegant reds, showing balance and texture with potential to age gracefully over time.

Hand selected Syrah was harvested across our three vineyards in the last two weeks of March. The batches were gently handled during ferment before being pressed to new oak (20% new) for extended aging on full lees for 19 months followed by a further 11 months in tank on light lees.