Church Road Tom Release 2019

Church Road Tom Chardonnay 2016 Hawkes Bay

From 100% Tuki Tuki Vineyard fruit - The bouquet of this Chardonnay is impressive beginning with an elegant, flinty, leesy note, quite complex with sweet spices of oak, then lemon, grapefruit and white peach. A complete wine on the palate with fruit and oak flavours that mirror the nose. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity, creamy texture and long dry finish. With 43% New French Oak and whole bunch press being used adds to a youthful structure overall. The flinty note returns adding complexity and charm. Balanced and well made, great with food. Drinking well now and through 2024. 95 Points

This Chardonnay is actually the best and most modern expression I’ve had from the TOM range.

Winemaker Chris Scott suggests this wine has five to six years ageing and maturation potential ahead. He for sure knows his wine best. I wholly agree, but with great cellar conditions this wine can easily mature through 2026.

Church Road Tom Syrah 2015 Hawkes Bay

Crafted using concrete fermenters and an old Cuve, 33 days on skins, 42% New French Oak and 22 Months Barrel ageing.

A complex and very appealing bouquet of Syrah with aromas of violets and red flowers, dark berries, an abundance oak wood aromas and pepper. Complex on the palate with mealy tannins, loads of acidity, flavours of dark berries, clove and a little chocolate. A youthful wine still with tension and concentration. The tannins become a little finer as the wine opens up glass (Zalto perfect for this wine). Lengthy finish, a wine that will age well through 2025. Store properly and this wine will reward. 95.5 Points

Church Road Tom Cabernet Merlot 2015 Hawkes Bay

This really is the foundation of Tom McDonald’s vision - a full-bodied Hawkes Bay red wine based on Cabernet. If he were with us today I’m sure he’d be very proud of the work winemaker Chris Scott has done.

A bouquet of a very young wine still with dark berry fruits, spics and new leather. Violets and plums, dark spices and tobacco, bell-pepper and smoky wood. Dry on the palate with youthful, quite powerful tannins, matched with acidity and a core of fruit. Flavours of dark berries, sweet oak and violets, plenty of youthful tension and quite Bordeaux like. After 30 minutes in glass (Zalto perfect for this wine) the wine begins to show what it may be like in five years from now. A lovely example, very young, great potential. Best from 2022 through 2032. 95 Points