Sacred Hill

Sacred Hill 'Deerstalkers' Syrah 2014 Hawke's Bay 13.5%
Deep inky ruby purple core and bright pink rim.
A bouquet of ripe, almost jammy baked red fruits with dense raspberry, black currant and plum, aromas of soft pepper, fresh new barrel, vanilla and wet clove, concentrated and complex. On the palate - delicious! concentrated, full, rich and powerful; plenty of acidity and medium+ tannins from the fruit first and oak second along with focused fruit, oak and flavours synergies make for a powerful and intense example. Youthful and focused - a wine to cellar or decant for service. Solid cellaring through 2030.
96 Points

Sacred Hill 'Brokenstone' 2014 Hawke's Bay 13.5% (Merlot/Malbec/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc)
Dark ruby purple core and bright ruby rim.
Fully loaded bouquet of wild and fresh red berries, dark plum and blackberry; some dried herb and soft pepper notes, a little bell pepper and vanilla scented toasty oak; quite complex overall. On the palate - dry, savoury, firm, youthful, full and rich in flavour; dark berry fruits and a light tart red fruit layer, plenty of acidity and firm tannins; the light bell-pepper and hay layer re-emerges; tense, youthful and lengthy finish. A wine to decant or for the cellar; will reward through 2025.
94 Points

Sacred Hill 'Helmsman' 2014 Hawke's Bay 13.5% (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc)
Saturated ruby and purple through to a  a bright ruby rim.
Masculine, bold, a little broody and ripe with dark berry fruit aromas of blackberry and Doris plum, oaky with clove and dark vanilla, floral with dark violets, toasty, woody nutty new barrel and a gentle vegetal herb quality; complex. On the palate - fruity, dry, complex and layered, light savoury and dried hay note, some tobacco and dark spice layers; blackberry and plum; medium+ acidity, plenty of oak & skin tannins; complex and long finish. A tense and youthful wine that time in cellar will reward. Decant well ahead of time; will cellar through 2030.
96 Points