Elephant Hill Le Phant Rose 2024

Elephant Hill Le Phant Rosé is a bright, dry Hawke's Bay rosé built around Tempranillo, with Syrah and Merlot adding extra shape and savoury detail. Expect red apple skin and cherry alongside delicate floral and mineral notes, with crisp acidity, a lightly saline edge and fine texture keeping everything fresh. Fruit comes from Elephant Hill's EARTH vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle and STONE vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels, giving this a distinctly Hawke's Bay story as well as plenty of summer appeal. Serve it chilled with antipasti, salmon, fresh salads or a sunny afternoon that needs improving.

What the winery says:

The 2024 blend is 60% Tempranillo, 20% Syrah from the EARTH vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle and 20% Merlot from the STONE vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels. The grapes were left to steep on their skins for gentle colour and flavour extraction before tank fermentation. The wine was then aged 80% in tank and 20% in seasoned French oak. The style is delicately aromatic, with apricot, lemon peel, Gala apple and subtle oatmeal notes, followed by an elegant, linear palate with crisp acidity and a lingering finish.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 92 Points, Premium (2024)
“Dry, saline, fine fruit tannins and vibrant mouthfeel.”