Getting ready to celebrate the festive season? Wine columnist DENNIS KNILL raises a glass to Church Road’s new releases.
Hawkes Bay is one of our most loved coastlines renowned for its agriculture, fruit bowls and grapes. With more than 80 wineries the region is as diverse as its hills and flat plains broken by rivers and multi-faceted terrain. Best known for its merlot, syrah, cabernet blends and chardonnay, Hawkes Bay is our second-largest wine producing region.
Amongst all the glamour estates is Church Road founded in 1897, it’s one of the oldest wineries in the country made famous by Tom McDonald who blazed a trail with his Bordeaux style wines in the mid-fifties. Since joining Church Road in late 90’s Chris Scott chief winemaker has taken over the mantle producing ultra-premium award-winning wines under a new label that proudly conveys the Church Road story.
Visitors to Hawkes Bay should not pass up on their wine tours. Included is an underground wine museum housed in old concrete vats displaying some of the oldest winemaking relics. The cellar door and adjoining restaurant makes this a great place to relax.
- ’21 Church Road Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels merlot RRP $120 deep and concentrated in colour this classic Bordeaux style easy drinking wine is elegantly balanced with texture and fine tannins giving a rounded finish on the palate. Serve with venison, beef and lamb.
- ’21 Church Road Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels cabernet sauvignon RRP $120 an exceptionally powerful wine with intense colour with an abundance of concentrated flavour delivering great balance in structure and complexity. Will age well. Serve with roast beef, lamb and venison.
- ’20 Church Road TOM cabernet sauvignon merlot RRP $220 bursting with flavour this carefully balanced double act blend will saturate the mouth with fresh concentrated flavours that will carry all the way across the palate. Pair with red meats.
