A classic Bordeaux Blend from Hawke’s Bay – a great vintage, and with enough years in bottle to have a look and see if it has really started to really bloom. Really quite youthful and bright, showing a deep ruby claret in the glass, and opening with that distinctive ‘Franc funk’ on the nose. Alongside that earthy sappiness, there are perfumes of blueberry, dark cherry, autumn leaves, bell pepper, plum, roasted spice, elderberry and violet florals. Dry, medium bodied and still tight into the palate, where the upfront oak provides a solid framework. Tannin is dusty and supple, still with plenty of grip. A decent weight, depth and character on show here – no shrinking violet (despite the aromatics). Alongside the succulent fruit, are a variety of other notes – liquorice, cocoa, soy and pepper, which bring an ‘old world’ edge towards the finish. I’d give it maybe another handful of years in the cellar. 92pts
Elephant Hill Reserve Cabernet Franc / Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Malbec 2016
