Elephant Hill is all about quality. From their award winning restaurant (now closed), winery building and of course to their wines. We just love the Le Phant Rouge because it's just so deliciously drinkable with gorgeous fruit and a lovely spice element coming through from the Syrah. All up it's a juicy, round and mouthfilling blend that shows Hawkes Bay red at its accessible best.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"A medium-bodied Merlot dominant blend displaying blackberry, cassis and plum characters with a succulent texture and great finish. It can be enjoyed for a further 6 to 8 years from vintage."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper, April 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Drinking well in its youth, the 2021 vintage is a full-coloured blend of six grape varieties – Merlot (40 per cent), Syrah (36 per cent), Tempranillo (14 per cent), Malbec (8 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (1 per cent) and Cabernet Franc (1 per cent). Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle (53 per cent), the Gimblett Gravels (34 per cent) and at Te Awanga (13 per cent), it was 'lightly oaked for 12 months.' Mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity and supple, it is a generous, very harmonious red, with strong, plummy, spicy flavours, and savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking 2025+."
5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Wonderfully fruited and elegantly complex, the bouquet shows blackcurrant, sweet cherry, cedar, thyme and warm spice aromas, leading to a gorgeously flavoursome palate offering succulent fruit intensity together with silky texture and fine-grained tannins. Supple and lingering with a delectable finish. A blend of merlot, syrah, tempranillo, malbec, cabernet sauvignon & cabernet franc. At its best: now to 2030."
5 Stars & 18.5/20 (93) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, March 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep, ruby-red, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is gently full, with bright red fruit, cedar and spice aromas. Medium-full bodied, aromas of plum, mulberry and blackberry melded with savoury, meaty nuance, spice and cedar. The fruit is beautiful, well-balanced and generous. The smooth tannins possess a smoky, dark mineral, contributing savoury richness. This red blend is approachable and well-framed with ripe tannin, cedar and savoury details. Match with wagyu burger and beef brisket over the next 3-5 years. A blend of Merlot 40%, Syrah 36%, Tempranillo 14%, Malbec 8%, Cabernet Sauvignon 1% and Cabernet Franc 1% from all three vineyards, Bridge Pa 53%, Gimblett Gravels 34% and Te Awanga 13%, lightly oaked for 12 months. 13.5% alc."
4 Stars Yvonne Lorkin, May 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"From the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay vintages (2019, 2020, 2021) comes a blend of 40% merlot, 36% syrah, 14% tempranillo, 8% malbec, 1% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc grown across their three vineyard sites, 13% from the ‘Sea’ vineyard at Te Awanga, 53% from the ‘Earth’ vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle and 34% from the ‘Stone’ Gimblett Gravels vineyard. Crammed with dark berries, softly smoky tobacco and toasty oak notes, hints of liquorice and roasting pan scratchings, it’s a robust, savoury, spice-soaked smorgasbord of a blend that’s all sorts of saucy and seductive to sip."