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Back in 1986, David and Mark Mason, with friend and winemaker Tony Bish, began with a simple philosophy of making more wine than they could drink, and sharing the rest. They had the perfect place to make it happen, under the shade of Puketapu (sacred hill), along the white, volcanic cliffs and river land gravels of the Dartmoor Valley in Hawke’s Bay. They were precious days by the river with friends, family and food.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2010 Helmsman displays a deep garnet-purple color and notes of cassis, black plums and mulberries with underlying suggestions of cedar, toast, damp loam and bay leaf. Medium to full bodied with a great concentration of black berry, earth and spice flavor layers, it has a solid backbone of firm, finely grained tannins and crisp acid, finishing long. Approachable now, it should drink best 2014 to 2024+. WA93+ (2010)
Hawke’s Bay has a warm, temperate climate perfect for growing Bordeaux blends and the Gimblett Gravels area is rapidly becoming one of the most famed New World terroirs, winning attention as its red wines collect awards and accolades around the world. Sacred Hill is one of the first winery located in this region since 1986 and keep shining in this area, their special selection wines are all made from estate owned Gimblett Gravels vineyard and highly rated by critics around the world.
There is a cabernet taste off between New Zealand’s Gimblett Gravels and great Bordeaux 2005 held in 2009, experts including Jancis Robinson, thirty UK Masters of Wine, sommeliers, wine buyers and journalists tasted those wine and the result as follow -
The top 5 wines were:
Château Lafite-Rothschild 2005 (£975/BT)
Château Mouton-Rothschild 2005 (£675/BT)
Château Angélus 2005 (£295/BT)
Sacred Hill Helmsman 2006 (£17.95/BT)
Château Haut-Brion 2005 (£700/BT)
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