A Syrah from Hawke’s Bay – and this producer’s regionally-specific bottlings. Here, the ’Stone’ on the label refers to the Gimblett Gravels vineyard. The plan is to do separate expressions from ‘Sea’ which is Te Awanga, and the ‘Earth’ plantings in Bridge Pa. A deep burgundy purple in the glass, with exotic but varietally-precise aromas of plum, boysenberry, black cherry and bramble fruits, with toasted spice, white pepper and violet floral notes. The fruit is glossy and sits up on a crisp acidity, with fine, soft tannin and a layer of oak adding structure. Some savoury elements of iron earth, olive and stony minerality come into play mid-palate. The finish shows gloss and harmony, with good length. At ten years of age, this is in a great drinking window now, but will last another ten if cellared well. 94pts
Elephant Hill Stone Syrah 2015
