ELEPHANT HILL SYRAH 2018

Elephant Hill take Syrah very seriously and this their ‘Estate’ version must be one the best value for money wines going.

Winery notes (2018 Vintage)
"Syrah is the key variety at Elephant Hill. Hand harvesting, small batch fermentation and aging in French oak barriques ensure a wine of great balance and finesse. The 2018 Syrah is made from grapes off our Gimblett, Te Awanga and Bridge Pa Triangle Vineyards. All the grapes were gently de-stemmed, pressed and aged for 18 months in 25% new French oak."

5 Stars & 94/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"Gorgeously ripe and enticing, the bouquet shows dark plum, sweet cherry, vanilla, hazelnut and smoked game notes, leading to a wonderfully silky palate that's ripe and plump. It's beautifully layered with fine texture and delectable flavours, offering refinement and excellent drinkability. At its best: now to 2028."

5 Stars The Wine Writer (2018 Vintage)
"The delicious aromas of sweet blackberries, ripe red plum, and smoky oak with hints of vanilla and violets are intoxicating. The palate is lighter and fresher than the nose indicates it will be. Richly fruited with flavours of cranberry, red plum, redcurrant, juicy blackberries, and oaky spices with barely there tannins."

93/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2018 Vintage)
"With aromas of ripe black currant and red pepper corn, wild berry compote, pepper and sweet meats the bouquet is fresh, youthful, varietal and enticing. On the palate – flavours of dark berries and toasty oak, pepper and baking spices, currants, some ageing meats and earthy tones of dry rock. Medium tannins and plenty of acidity add texture and bite with the core of fruit adding weight, length and finish. A polished expression, ready to enjoy."

5 Stars & 18.5/20 Candice Chow for Raymond Chan Reviews, June 2020 (2018 Vintage)
"Deep, medium dark-ruby with depth and a purple hue, lighter on edge. The nose is fragrant with depth nuances of violet, herbaceous, black pepper, along with a meaty, savoury note and oak spices; melded with dark plums and blackberries in the background. Medium-full bodied, the wine is plush with cushions, integrated and soft flavours of dark plums and blackberries; entwined with violet, dark herbs and black pepper; alongside meaty and savoury flavours, quite complex. Finely weaved tannin structure reminiscent of milk chocolate, leaves the palate a moderate layer of ripe, silky tannin. A concentrated core of fruit harmonized the savoury, meaty element. Balanced acidity carries the rich flavours to a lingering finish. This is a rich and plush Syrah with complexing flavours of black fruit, violet, dark herbs, along with savoury element and interweaved milk chocolate tannin. Match with grilled lamb and venison loin over the next 3-5 years. 12.9% alc."