Sam Kim reviewed Elephant Hill's latest Icon release
2015 Airavata
A compelling rendition; the impressively complex bouquet shows blackberry, Black Doris plum, dark spice, cedar and cocoa characters with nuances of floral and game. The palate is superbly concentrated and weighted, delivering waves of delicious flavours and rich texture, brilliantly structured by seamlessly woven tannins. Sumptuous and graceful, destined for a long life. At its best: 2020 to 2032.
This is profound and compelling; the superbly expressed bouquet shows crème de cassis, Black Doris plum, vanilla, spicy oak and cocoa characters with hints of dried herb and mixed spice. The palate delivers outstanding concentration and depth, wonderfully complemented by layers of rich texture and polished tannins, finishing impressively long and engaging. A blend of 41% cabernet sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec and 8% Tempranillo. At its best: 2024 to 2035
Seductive and sensuous, this splendidly composed chardonnay shows golden peach, rockmelon, lemon peel and brioche characters with nuances of vanilla and cedar. The palate is superbly weighted and expansive, delivering delectable fruit flavours together with stylish oak infusion, finishing persistent and creamy. It is opulent yet elegant with layers of fine texture. At its best: now to 2025
Elephant Hill's latest reviews from Bob Campbell MW and Cameron Douglas MS
2017 Salomé Chardonnay
"Immediately complex with a Meursault-like bouquet of cashew spice, cold smoke, grapefruit peel, apple and peach. A complex and lengthy wine on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose. Satin texture with a light creamy butter note and a bit of new oak. Primed for cellaring with drinking from 2021/22 and through to 2030. An excellent wine." 97 points - Cameron Douglas MS
"Only the second vintage of Elephant Hill's flagship chardonnay with just 111 cases produced. Most of the grapes from Te Awanga with some from a low-cropped section of their Bridge Pa vineyard. Concentrated yet restrained chardonnay that is rather taut at this early stage with chalky, mineral, citrus, brioche and bran biscuit flavours. Should develop well with bottle age. Drink now - 2025." 95 points - Bob Campbell MW
2016 Stone Syrah
"Focus, concentration and power, pepper-spice, wood spice, violets and dark berries, barrel spice and bacon oak, masculine and muscle. There's no mistaking the power and presence of this wine on the palate with youthful energy, backbone of acidity, powerful tannins and core of fruit carrying the structure well, but also showing youth and potential. Lengthy finish with concentration and power. A wine to rival Northern Rhone counterparts. Best drinking 2021 through 2030." 96 points -Cameron Douglas MS
"75 cases made. Dense, restrained and elegant syrah with floral, smoky, black pepper flavours restrained by fine, close-knit tannins that clearly suggest bottle age potential. This is Elephant Hill's top syrah from this coolish vintage. Drink now to 2023" 96 points- Bob Campbell MW
2015 Airavata
"A complex and engaging wine from bouquet to palate the more your swirl, sip and explore the more it offers. Pressed violets and dark raspberry, black currant and plum. Bold tannins and youthful acidity, a hint of tar and boot polish, meat and smoke. No mistaking the impact of oak with a core of fruit and flavour this wine is impressive. Requires cellar time to integrate and develop. Decant and taste again in 2022. A wine destined to last through to 2030+." 98 points- Cameron Douglas MS
"Flagship syrah made from 2/3 Gimblett Gravels and 1/3 Te Awanga grapes. Big, dense and very ripe red that is both elegant and a blockbuster with pepper, plum, berry, coffee and mocha flavours. A concentrated wine that's built to last. Drink now - 2025" 96 points- Bob Campbell MW
2015 Hieronymus
"Youthful, powerful and focused bouquet of Hawkes Bay red wine. The Cabernet is the driving force on the nose with cigar and blackberry fruit, the Franc is unmistakable with olive and sweet leaves, violet and dark berry; the Malbec highlights new oak with bitter chocolate and black cherry note; the Merlot brings everything together with flavours of plum and softness. Other flavours include marmite and barrel spices. A youthful example with big tannins and acidity to match and plenty new oak, complex and lengthy finish. Cellar till at least 2025 before sampling again. This will be a twenty-five year wine. Cellar properly and this wine will reward." 98 points- Cameron Douglas MS
"280 cases made. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and tempranillo. Big, dense red with concentration and power. Layers of berry, dried fruits, spice, cedar and a suggestion of floral characters. A very complex wine with a higher level of dry extract (a measure of flavour concentration) than any wine previously made at Elephant Hill. Drink now – 2030" 97 points- Bob Campbell MW
Hawke's Bay Marathon 2019 is less than 2 months away!
Some of you may already know Elephant Hill will be the finish line of 2019 Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon. But there might be something you don't quite know...
On Friday 17th May (day before the big run!), Elephant Hill will have Pinot & Pasta party!
It's a well-known fact that carb-loading before race day is important and the team at Elephant Hill have the perfect way for you to do so!
Choose between three different time slots on Friday 17 May to spend time enjoying some pasta and a glass of Elephant Hill Pinot Noir - can you think of a better way to prepare for race day?
Date: Friday 17 May
Time slots: 5:30pm / 7:00pm / 8:30pm (each session will be 1.5 hours long)
Price: $40
There will be two types of pasta available as well as gluten free/vegetarian/dairy free options available.
How to book
If you are already entered, log into your My Active account and select 'Additional Purchase'. If you haven't entered already, you can select to purchase when you are entering. Spaces are strictly limited per time slot so book early to avoid missing out!
Hawke's Bay Wine Auction 2018
Date of Publication: 10, August 2018
Elephant Hill is proud to support our local charities- Hawke's Bay Wine Auction and Cranford Hospice. Hawke's Bay Wine Auction is a perfect event for wine lovers or art collectors. Get up close and personal with winemakers and taste a wide range of Hawke's Bay wine and canapes!
Although 2017 vintage was a particular difficult vintage for many wineries in terms of weather, Elephant Hill is still able to produce our special limited edition wine- Stone Syrah from Gimblett Gravels. For the 2018 Hawke's Bay Wine Auction, we will be offering a quarter barrique of this exceptional wine.
Buy your ticket now
The most grammable restaurants in New Zealand
Name of Media: Remix Magazine
Date of Publication: 26 June 2018
To learn more about the restaurant or if you wish to make a booking, please visit our restaurant site
www.elephanthill.co.nz/restaurant
To read the full Remix article, please click the link below.
https://www.remixmagazine.com/lifestyle/beautiful-restaurants-newzealand/