Sacred Hill Managing Director David Mason says his New Year resolution is to stretch out summer for as long as he can and he is urging others to do the same. He believes the rest of the summer is crying out for good wine, delicious food and great friends. “In our family, what we love about the summer holiday is the chance to take time out, kick back and relax with friends and family – to enjoy those quality moments. It’s all too easy to get sucked into another busy year and see such moments overtaken by a flurry of meetings, emails and other distractions,” Mason says.
Regardless of the weather, he believes that people should ensure the summer holiday vibe is maintained or at least revived regularly as the year progresses. “We need to make sure that we grab the chance to take time out – spending quality time with friends and family and cherishing those moments,” he says.
As for wines to accompany the summer sun and long evenings, here are the tasting notes for his personal summer picks:
2014 Sacred Hill Orange Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – A lifted, rich aroma with a medley of tropical fruit notes. Fig, guava, gooseberry, lychee and passionfruit interplay with citrus zest florals and freshly mown grass. Delicate wine through the palate – vibrant from its acidity yet soft and supple from its textural fruit sweetness. The aftertaste has citrus zest flavours and excellent minerality.
Food Match: Enjoy with seared scallops with a white wine, butter and garlic sauce.
Sacred Hill 2013 Orange Label Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet – Attractive aromas of black plum, liquorice, porcini mushroom and spice. The palate flows smoothly with dark berry fruit flavours, liquorice complexity and hints of oak spice. This wine is supple with good weight that leads to a fleshy gentle finish.
Food Match: Butterflied leg of lamb with garlic, rosemary and lemon zest, barbecued and served medium rare.
