CHURCH ROAD McDONALD SERIES MERLOT 2021

Trophy for Champion Merlot – New Zealand International Wine Show 2024
Double Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2024
Gold Medal – New Zealand International Wine Show 2023
Gold Medal – The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa New Zealand 2023
Gold Medal – Hawkes Bay Wine Awards 2023
Gold Medal & 95/100 – Decanter World Wine Awards 2023

Previous vintages of Church Road McDonald Series Merlot have picked up multiple Trophies and Gold Medals from New Zealand wine shows and around the globe and this year's release is no exception! A wine that is quickly becoming a New Zealand classic, there is value plus to be found here. From an outstanding Hawkes Bay vintage, the 2021 continues to build on the growing reputation of Church Road wines. A wine with rich plum and berry fruit is complemented by lifted floral aromas and underpinned by a savoury oak and earthy complexity. The palate is rich and long driven by a firm, fine-grained tannin structure.

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"This is a serious, multidimensional Merlot. The heart of this wine is its dense, brooding plum and dark berry fruit. The palate is rich, weighty and long driven by a firm yet fine-grained tannin structure. A hard grape to grow and make well, Merlot performs to the highest standard in only a handful of viticultural regions around the globe. One of those regions is Hawke’s Bay where it excels in our moderate climate, when grown with care and respect on the right soil types. This Merlot is well matched to game and red meats, cured meats and other savoury, robustly flavoured dishes. It is highly recommended to cellar this wine as it will continue to benefit from aging, however will still provide satisfying drinking now."

DWWA Judges' Comments (2021 Vintage)
"Deeply concentrated dark plums and violets with a lick of chocolate, vanilla and clove and an inherent Merlot softness which plays out towards the warming tobacco finish."

#1 Dish Magazine, NZ Bordeaux Reds Tasting, July 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Deeply glossy and garnet- black in the glass, this powerful, black- fruited wine erupts with blackcurrant leaf florals, dark cocoa and smoky oak. On the palate it delivers rich concentration, cigar box complexity and elegant, finely tuned tannins to finish. A powerful, cellar-worthy, exceptional value example."

4 ½ Stars Cuisine NZ Bordeaux Style Red Tasting, June 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep and dark with aromas of blackberries alongside fresh ripe-red fruits. The palate is powerful and sweet- fruited, yet the purity of fruit is evident. Generous and round with bold oak and a proud yet silky tannin profile."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, July 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Great colour concentration and varietal intensity with a bouquet and flavours of dark plums and boysenberry. aromas and flavours also include blackcurrant, vanilla and clove with fine even layer of wood sweetness and a touch of smoke. Tannins are very easy t dissolve on the palate with a lively acid line. Balanced, well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2029."