Posted: December 2, 2021
Dark and still purple-flushed, this fragrant, rich red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (54% new). Still very youthful, it has concentrated, plummy, spicy flavours, a hint of liquorice, fresh acidity, finely integrated oak and a well-rounded,…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Merlot-based, this softly mouthfilling rosé has pink/slight orange colour. Made in a very easy-drinking style, it has generous peach, strawberry and spice flavours, with an off-dry finish. $19
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Pale pink, this merlot-based rosé is lively and dry, with a touch of tannin and vigorous peachy, strawberryish and spicy flavours, showing good intensity. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Probably at or nearing its peak, this pale gold wine was estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Fleshy and full-bodied, it has concentrated, ripe, peachy,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Drinking well now, this wine was estate-grown in the relatively cool, elevated Matapiro district. Bright, light lemon/green, it is ripely scented, mouthfilling and vibrant, with tropical fruit flavours, crisp, dry and generous. $19
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Still unfolding, this hand-picked wine was partly fermented with indigenous yeasts in seasoned oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing very good intensity, a subtle seasoning of oak, and fresh,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Richly fragrant, weighty and sweet-fruited, this distinguished wine was estate-grown, principally in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (20% new). Still very youthful, it has notable depth of…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Invitingly scented, this lively, medium-bodied wine was estate-grown at Matapiro and hand-picked relatively early, in search of a ‘dry, mineral style’. Maturing well, it has fresh acidity, with strong, peachy, gently spicy flavours. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
If you enjoy the sturdy, fleshy, Alsace style of pinot gris, try this bargain-priced wine. Estate-grown at Matapiro and harvested late, with some berry shrivel, it is powerful and ripely scented, with generous stone-fruit and spice flavours, and a very…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This impressively rich, Alsace-style pinot gris was estate-grown at Matapiro, harvested late with some berry shrivel, and fermented and lees-aged in French oak cuves. Light gold, it is sturdy, with concentrated peach, apricot and spice flavours, gentle sweetness, a distinct…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Offering great value, this ‘unashamedly just a little bit old school’ wine has a fragrant, complex bouquet. Mouthfilling, it has strong, peachy, gently toasty flavours, fresh acidity, and good harmony and immediacy. $19
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Unfolding well, this finely balanced wine was hand-picked, mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley, and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak barrels (19% new). Currently delicious, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with strong, ripe, peachy flavours, complex,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This powerful, youthful wine should be long-lived. Grown mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (30% new), it has a fragrant, distinctly smoky bouquet. Full-bodied, with rich, ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This pale gold, flavour-packed wine was hand-picked in the Tuki Tuki Valley and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak casks (21% new). A powerful, complex style, it has highly concentrated, peachy flavours, enriched with toasty oak, fresh…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Tuki Tuki Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
From the star grape of Rioja, this attractive red was estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 14 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Full-coloured, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with generous plum/spice…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
From a variety cultivated in northern Italy, this deeply coloured, easy-drinking red was estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 14 months in French oak casks (21% new). Fresh and full-bodied, it has strong,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Marzemino 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
More elegant, less gutsy than many malbecs, this powerful red was matured in French (80%) and Hungarian (20%) oak casks (38% new). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and youthful, with fresh, dense, plummy, spicy flavours and firm, but not grippy,…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very ageworthy, harmonious red was grown mostly in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 18 months in French (principally) and Hungarian oak barrels (30% new). Dark and youthful, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated blackcurrant,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Enjoyable young, this deep ruby red is fresh, medium to full-bodied, savoury and supple. Grown mostly in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for a year in Hungarian and French oak casks (20% new), it has generous, vibrant plum, spice…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already delicious, this floral, spicy red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels (principally) and the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (22% new). Deeply coloured, it is fragrant, mouthfilling, rich and supple,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Full of potential, this deeply coloured, finely structured red was estate-grown principally in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, but also in the Gimblett Gravels, and matured for 20 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (33% new)….
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very graceful, supple red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (41% new). From a vintage that yielded no syrah under the prestige Tom label, it’s a beautiful young red, full-coloured and floral, with intense plum and…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Surprisingly complex for its price, this blend of merlot (92%) and cabernet sauvignon (8%) was estate-grown principally in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for a year in Hungarian and French oak casks (35% new). Deeply…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This rich, savoury, smooth red is still unfolding. Merlot-based (92%), with a splash of cabernet sauvignon (8%), it was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle (mostly) and the Gimblett Gravels, and matured for 18 months in Hungarian and French oak…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This powerful, yet very approachable, red is a blend of merlot (74%) and cabernet sauvignon (26%), grown in the Gimblett Gravels (mostly) and the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 18 months in French oak barrels (41% new). It has…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still youthful, this fragrant, lush, supple red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (54% new). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling, vibrant and supple, with highly concentrated plum and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice, well-integrated oak and…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This vivacious bubbly was made from chardonnay, hand-picked at Haumoana, bottle-fermented and lees-aged for four years. Bright, light yellow/green, with a nutty, yeasty fragrance, it has strong, vibrant, citrusy, biscuity flavours, showing excellent complexity, and an appetisingly fresh, crisp, dry…
Comments Off on Church Road Méthode Traditionnelle Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This delicious, distinctive wine was hand-picked at Matapiro, and fermented and lees-matured for nine months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (50% new). Golden and robust (15% alc/vol), it has beautifully ripe, peachy, spicy, gently honeyed flavours, balanced acidity, a…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Noble Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This is a weighty, complex, non-herbaceous style of sauvignon blanc, partly (33%) fermented with indigenous yeasts in old oak barriques. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with youthful, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, integrated oak, fresh acidity and obvious potential. Best…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Full of personality, this oak-aged wine is already delicious. Estate-grown mostly in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, with some fruit from Matapiro, it was hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (20% new). Bright,…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This pale gold, fleshy wine was estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Full-bodied and sweet-fruited, it has ripe, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, gently seasoned with…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Aiming for a ‘dry, mineral style’, this lively wine was estate-grown at Matapiro and hand-picked relatively early. Medium to full-bodied, it has fresh acidity and good concentration of peachy, slightly spicy flavours. Best drinking 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already delicious, this Alsace-style wine was estate-grown at Matapiro and harvested late, with some berry shrivel. Sturdy (14.5% alc/vol), it is fleshy, with good intensity of vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, a slightly sweet, harmonious finish and a ripely…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Pale gold, this powerful, sturdy wine was estate-grown at Matapiro, harvested relatively late with some berry shrivel, and fermented and lees-aged in French oak cuves. It has concentrated stonefruit and spice flavours, balanced acidity, hints of apricot and honey, gentle…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This youthful, great value wine was fermented and aged for 11 months in French and Hungarian oak casks (35% new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant, savoury bouquet, it is full-bodied, fresh and dry, with generous, ripe stonefruit flavours and…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Fresh and youthful, this mouthfilling, sweet-fruited wine was hand-picked, mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley, and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak barrels (19% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it has generous, ripe stonefruit flavours, toasty and mealy…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still very youthful, this powerful wine was grown mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (30% new). Fragrant, with a complex, slightly smoky bouquet, it has rich, vigorous, stonefruit and toasty oak…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already very expressive, this pale gold wine was hand-picked and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak casks (21% new). Fragrant, with a distinct whiff of ‘struck match’, it is highly concentrated, with fresh acidity, lively stonefruit flavours,…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Tuki Tuki Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: April 8, 2020
Still very youthful, this is a fresh, vibrant, medium-bodied wine with good intensity of peachy, gently spicy flavours, lively acidity and a dry finish. Best drinking 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: December 10, 2019
A lovely cabernet, still very youthful and fresh with intense purple hues, leafy berry aromas and a tight palate with great mulberry/blackberry flavours. 5+
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A fresh young wine with deep purple hues, lifted floral fragrances and a lovely earthy/red berry flavour profile.
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Very youthful deep red wine with purple hues and a leafy berry bouquet with obvious oak. The plum driven palate is long and tight with great structures and balance.
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This ageworthy, intensely varietal red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle. Deeply coloured, with a highly fragrant, fresh, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, showing good complexity, and a…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Still youthful, this refined wine was hand-picked and barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with a slightly toasty bouquet, strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, showing good complexity, and fresh acidity keeping things lively. Open 2020+. $25 (A)
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This is a powerful, bold style of cabernet sauvignon, with dense, still purple-flushed colour. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle, it is robust (14.5% alc/vol), with concentrated, well-ripened blackcurrant, red berry and spice flavours, rich and smooth. Approachable now, but…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Made in a fully dry style, this is a merlot-based rosé, with splashes of tempranillo and malbec. Very pale pink, it is vibrantly fruity, with strong, yet delicate peach, strawberry and spice flavours, fresh acidity, and a long finish. $27
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Lovely already, but full of potential, this Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques. It has bold, youthful colour, with a spicy, highly fragrant bouquet. Very rich and supple, it is packed with blackcurrant, plum…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This powerful, classy, fragrant red was blended from merlot (86%) and cabernet sauvignon (14%), grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and Gimblett Gravels, and was French oak-aged for 20 months. The colour is dark and youthful; the palate robust and…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Combining power and elegance, this classy wine was hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak casks (30% new). Tightly structured, with a slightly smoky bouquet, it has concentrated, youthful, grapefruit and peach flavours, well-integrated biscuity oak, excellent complexity…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This Hawke’s Bay red is hard to resist. Matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new), it is dark and softly mouthfilling, with beautifully rich, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, and a velvet-smooth, lasting finish. Likely to…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019