Hawke’s Bay is a world-famous winemaking region of New Zealand, and one of its favourites is iconic Church Road.
I was lucky enough to attend their 25 year celebration of Church Road TOM vintage at an exquisite wine matched dinner at Botswana Butchery on Auckland harbour and sample the two latest vintages; 2016 TOM Merlot Cabernet, and 2019 TOM Chardonnay.
It was amazing to hear firsthand about the vintages from Chief Winemaker, Chris Scott.
“Simply put these are our best wines. No effort is spared,” says Chris Scott, Chief Winemaker.
“As winemakers we are very lucky to live and work in Hawke’s Bay. 123 years of heritage has given us an enviable understanding of a region that is blessed with a combination of soils and climate that are perfect for high quality winegrowing. Couple this with the passion and diligence of our viticultural team and the result is exceptional quality fruit that requires very little interference in the winery.
“TOM is Church Road’s pinnacle wine range and is only produced when we believe we can make an outstanding vintage. Only superior parcels of fruit are used to craft wines that show exceptional character and quality.
The range is named after the late Tom McDonald (1907– 1987), a true pioneer of New Zealand’s fine winemaking and legendary winemaker at Church Road Winery for over 50 years.
The 2016 Hawke’s Bay vintage conditions created beautiful Merlot grapes that called for a change in blend for the TOM Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP$220). Deviating away from what is usually a more Cabernet influenced wine, a new taste profile of ripe black plum and berry fruit, and the brooding, dark earthy and cacao complexity typical of great Merlot is now experienced across the full length of the palate.
Aged for 18 months, the wild-fermented and hand-harvested 2019 Church Road TOM Chardonnay (RRP$150) is in spectacular form. Wild primary and malolactic fermentation has delivered an extra degree of complexity and textural interest, resulting in a full bodied and powerful Chardonnay that retains good balance and liveliness.
I recommend you try TOM wine if you get the chance, it’s a labour of love for Church Road winemakers, and very special. Cheers!
25 August 2020
Photos by Megan Robinson