Church Road TOM Releases - July 2020 - Hawkes Bay

Church Road TOM Chardonnay 2019, Hawkes Bay

A vibrant bouquet with a complex and layered aromas from sweet citrus to fleshy white and yellow stone fruit, cashew, pear, apple and wood spices. On the palate - clean, fresh, youthfully forward and full of energy, flavours mirror the nose. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity and lengthy finish. A flamboyant wine with a core of fruit, a gentle flinty layer and loaded with charm and elegance. Best drinking from late 2021 through 2025+. 95 Points RRP$150.00

Church Road TOM Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Hawkes Bay

Merlot for this wine comes off the Gimblett site contributing 81% to the blend, the remainder of 19% from the Redstone Vineyard forming part of the Bridga Pa Triangle. On the nose and palate the merlot brings a fleshy, plush and vivid dark plum core. The Cabernet not only provides backbone and power it delivers flavours of black fruits, roasted bell-pepper and with a bold structure of French oak underpinning this wine (62% new) the dark spices and coco, sweet tobacco and woody muscle are hard to miss. Tannins are bold and ripe, acidity brings freshness and purity. A totally authentic wine with a lengthy and memorable finish. Best drinking is from today and through 2028+. 95 Points RRP $220.00

Another two wines tasted at the same event:

Church Road 1 Syrah 2017, Hawkes Bay

Immediately varietal, pure fruit core, there’s no mistaking the pepper spice, oak and other baking spices. There’s moments of field mushrooms - hangi style - then sweet brown button mushroom, baked berries, plum , fresh raspberry and baked berries. On the palate - flavours reflect the nose, lovely tannins adding a fine texture and lengthening the impact of the fruit. Medium+ acidity and length and a lovely medium+ complexity. Best drinking from today and through 2024+. 95 Points

Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Immediately alluring bouquet of Cabernet with aromas of Violets and black fruits, sweet bell-pepper and warm gravel stones. Other non-fruit aromas from sweet tobacco to baking spices, sweet olive then back to dark red berries and plum. Tannins are fantastic - resolved, complete and crucial to the length and finish of the wine. The plush core of fruit and long finish presents a wine with excellent potential. Best drinking from 2022 through 2030+. 92 Points