Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020 (Hawke’s Bay)
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.