Rich crimson red in colour, the nose is awash with notes of ripe plum, dark berry compote alongside a faint forest floor hint. Light-medium in weight, dark berry notes take a back seat as ripe red berry and cherry flavours dominate the palate. There is an underlying spiciness throughout that adds complexity and definition to the back palate. Fine tannins accompany lingering red berry flavours through a long finish.
From the Winery
Sourced from low yielding vineyards near Mount Gambier in the east of the limestone coast wine region. The higher altitude aspect and cool evening temperatures combine to ensure the retention of natural acidity in the elegant fruit harvested whilst the long, slow ripening ensures excellent flavour development.
Partially hand before de-stemming and fermentation in a combination of two tonne open fermenters with ten percent whole bunch and twice daily hand plunging and larger closed fermenters with pump overs., All components blended post fermentation before three quarters were matured in stainless steel and one quarter was matured in French oak for four months before bottling with minimal fining, filtration and sulphur addition.
2017 saw a return to vintage conditions not commonly seen for over two decades. A very wet winter followed by a cool summer with few spikes of heat meant that vintage as up to a month later than what has been common recently. A dry and consistently moderate autumn ensured the fruit was able to ripen slowly in ideal conditions. This “throwback” vintage will become famed for the quality and elegance of the fruit.
The Elephant in the Room wines are proudly large in scale and expansive in flavour. Ignoring fashion and braving the scorn “wine thought police” Elephant in the Room was created to give consumers exactly what they want – full-bodied and mouth-filling wines that deliver maximum pleasure. Each wine is sourced from slow-ripening cool climate vineyards in the Limestone Coast of South Australia and partially matured in French Oak before final blending and bottling by Corey Ryan.
Awards and Accolades
2016 Vintage: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "It is nicely fragrant on the nose showing red/black cherry, game, clove and nutmeg characters, leading to a juicy palate that is rounded and smooth. The wine offers attractive bright fruit flavours and silky texture, backed by fine tannins. A friendly pinot offering lovely fruit notes combined with gentle savoury complexity. At its best: now to 2019."
Don't Pay: $16.00
WBW Rating: 91/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Langhorne Creek, SA
Winemaker: Corey Ryan
Drink now until: 2021
Alc/Vol: 13.5 %