CHURCH ROAD GRAND RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON / MERLOT 2020

Gold Medal – The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand 2023 & 2024

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Blends of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are one of the most challenging and exciting wine styles to produce. There is a synergy between these two varieties that produces some of the most complete, complex, fragrant and satisfying styles of red wine in the world. Hawke’s Bay, along with parts of the California’s Napa Valley, was identified by the U.K’s Decanter magazine, as one of the few New World wine regions that could challenge Bordeaux in the production of such wines.

The 2020 is heavily merlot dominant, with the typical dark berry and plum fruit of the variety. This is lifted by top notes of fragrant violet and subtle spice. A savoury dark earthy complexity brings a more serious, brooding undertone to the wine. On the palate the wine is full bodied with good mid palate flesh, finishing with a long, fine tannin structure that will soften with time and ensure good cellaring potential (2026 – 2038)."

5 Stars & Number 1 Cuisine NZ Bordeaux Varieties Tasting 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Recently a friend with a particular passion for Bordeaux styles asked me, “What’s good drinking right now?” and I absentmindedly rattled off a selection of wines at different price points. The reply, through laughter, was, “So… Church Road then?”. Without realising, almost all of the wines I had suggested were from Church Road. It’s not like me to recommend just one brand and even less so for that brand to be one of the ‘big guys’ but truthfully it’s impossible to deny the quality, range and ultimate drinkability of this Hawke’s Bay stalwart.

Church Road won another top wine accolade in Cuisine as recently as last year for the 2019 Grand Reserve Syrah. At that time we reported that winemaker Chris Scott was the only winemaker to win the ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Year’ award four times at the prestigious Winestate Wine of the Year Awards. Clearly ‘unprecedented’ is what Chris does best as since we last mentioned his name, he has gone on to win this award for a fifth time – a phenomenal achievement. When you taste this wine, however, the continuing accolades for this talented winemaker come into focus.

This blend is radiant in the glass with a deep, dense colour that appears almost glossy. The nose is incredibly expressive with cassis, dark plums, chocolate and just a touch of cigar box that hints at the beautifully handled oak. Youthful yet rich and brooding this wine expands and coats the palate with sweet juicy fruit, steely acid and wonderful tannin concentration. Exceptional."

Reviews for 2019 vintage below…

Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"Ripe, fruity, complex and packed with aromas and flavours of baked plums and blackberry pie, violets and oak spices, toasty wood and dry stone earthy qualities. Delicious on the palate with a juicy core of black berry and plum fruit flavours, firm tannins and a back bone of acidity, satin texture and toasty wood flavours. A lovely wine with immediate appeal, great food pairing qualities and a lengthy finish. Best drinking from 2022 through 2032."

5 Stars Michael Cooper, August 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"The powerful, lush 2019 vintage is a blend of Merlot (83 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (14 per cent) and Malbec (3 per cent). Estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels (75 per cent) and the Bridge Pa Triangle (25 per cent), it was matured for 21 months in French oak barriques (40 per cent new). Dark and sturdy, it has deep, vibrant blackcurrant, plum, spice and nutty oak flavours, showing excellent complexity, ripe, supple tannins, and a long, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2025+."