Elephant Hill Salomé Chardonnay 2020 Using grapes from the Sea vineyard at Te Awanga this year. Pale gold in the glass. An enticing nose of grapefruit, peach, pear, nougat, and lemon curd. A dry, crisp, tightly coiled wine with a focussed line of zesty acidity. There is masterful use of oak here too – warm and toasty, but a only as a background whisper. The palate is expansive, with layers that draw in a wider, deeper range of flavours – melon, quince and mandarin. Texture is subtle but plush, tempered with a bright saline note adding extra interest before the pithy, generous finish. 95pts.
Elephant Hill ‘Hieronymus’ 2019 Dense ruby red in the glass, with plum, dark cocoa, cassis, tapenade, cinnamon, blackberry and violet florals on the detailed, primary nose. A weighty yet agile statement. Great structure and framework, delivering dark, robust tannins under a fluid, bright acidity. Again, there is plenty of new oak, but already this is merely a shadowy presence, adding depth and nuance to the balance. Firmly concentrated, intense, sweet-fruited and polished – a complex and delicious combination. The finish is opulent and persistent. 95pts
Elephant Hill Airavata Syrah 2019 A balance of fruit from the Stone vineyard in Gimblett Gravels and Earth vineyard in Bridge Pa. Dark berry fruits, sumac, bay leaf, damson and redcurrants on the nose. Beautifully savoury – a wonderful play between the piquant acidity and a depth of tannin, spice, umami flavours and sweet, lush fruit. An earthy minerality shows in between the core elements. Already well integrated, with a power and density through the palate and into the lengthy finish. Made with a structure to age, but a lovely approachability even at this young stage. 96pts
