Sacred Hill is one of Hawkes Bay’s leading wineries, gaining accolades and awards for many of their wines. The Mason Family, who have farmed in Hawke’s Bay for over 50 years, planted the first vines in 1986 and to this day are still fully involved in the day to day running of the winery.
Tony Bish is the very successful winemaker here, and oversees production from four vineyards owned by the company. Aside from three in Hawkes bay, (Rifleman, Dartmoor and Gimblett Gravels), they also have Hell’s Gate vineyard in Marlborough.
These two releases from the abundant 2010 harvest are from their Marlborough vineyards – a Pinot Gris and a Pinot Noir.
Now, wayyy … back in the old days, the Pinot Noir grape mutated into a few variants, some of which have become popular in their own right. I.e. Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier – and the more obscure Pinot Moure and Pinot Teinturier. Pinot Blanc makes a light unoaked white wine, Pinot Meunier is a red grape often used in making Champagne along with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
So much for wine trivia. The wines:
Sacred Hill Pinot Gris 2010 $NZ19.71
Crisp and light, this is a wine that would make a refreshing aperitif. Flavours of pear juice, apple, stone fruit and guava in a medium-bodied style.
Sacred Hill Pinot Noir 2010 $NZ19.71
Young but very approachable, ripe with a touch of sweetness. Smoky aromas with hints of stewed plum and tar. On the palate light – silky tannins and red berry fruits, savoury aftertaste with a dry, s;picy finish.
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