Near Perfect Vintage For Church Road 1 Latest Releases
Hawke’s Bay award-winning winery, Church Road, has released the next vintages of Church Road 1, its prized single vineyard offering. CR1 tells a true story of provenance showcasing the unique character of the very best vineyards from the best sub-regions in Hawke’s Bay.
This year’s releases have been crafted from near perfect vintage conditions in Hawke’s Bay: Church Road1 Terraces Chardonnay 2019, Church Road 1 Redstone Merlot 2019, Church Road 1 Redstone Syrah 2019, Church Road 1 Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 and Church Road 1 Gimblett Malbec 2020.
Church Road’s Chief Winemaker and Winemaker of the Year1, Chris Scott commented: “Grape variety and winemaker influence the character of a wine, but beyond that is the inescapable character of the unique place that it is grown. Church Road 1 wines are grown and made to express the character of our best terroirs and it can certainly be seen in these recent releases.”
“Though 2019 got off to a wet start, the early season rains ceased and generally warm, dry conditions prevailed. It was an outstanding vintage for red varieties in Hawke’s Bay and each vineyard produced exceptional grapes, each with its own special character”.
The Place
The Terraces Vineyard in the Tuki Tuki Valley produced Chadonnay grapes with a slate-like mineral feel. Sheltered by Te Mata Peak from the cold southerly, the wines are richer, rounder, more textural in structure, and have a tendency towards peach like stonefruit flavours over the zestier citrus notes.
The Redstone Vineyard, in the renowned Bridge Pa Triangle, is far enough inland to be little affected by the cool sea breeze, making this one of the warmest, earliest ripening sites in Hawke’s Bay, perfectly suited for the cultivation of this range’s best red grape varieties, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Gimblett Gravels Malbec vineyard is only 30m above sea level, but far enough inland to be relatively well protected from the sea breeze. The vineyard is also sheltered from the cold southerly by Roy’s Hill, making this one of the most sheltered and warm sub-regions in Hawke’s Bay, ideally suited to red winegrowing.
The Wines – Click Images for Info & Purchase
Full bodied and powerful, the Church Road 1 Terraces Chardonnay 2019 retains good balance and liveliness. Built around a core of ripe stonefruit with fresher citrus elements and roasted hazelnut, this rich palate wine has exceptional textural length. Still youthful, this will also mature well for six or more years. RRP: $100.00
Another Redstone star, the Church Road 1 Syrah 2019 is built around a core of rich plum and dark berry fruit. Subtle tones of roasted coffee bean and cacao nib add depth and complexity that gives a fine and long palate finish with a silky tannin structure. While approachable now, these wines age beautifully for more than 20 years. RRP: $120.00
A core of brooding, dark and plummy fruit, has produced a serious Church Road 1 Redstone Merlot 2019, with subtle violet and flowering thyme aromas supported by balanced oak bringing spice and smoke notes. With a powerful finish, the Merlot will age gracefully for 15 years or more. RRP: $120.00
Layered and complex, the Church Road 1 Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is full of opulent dark berry fruit, with a warm earthiness and is an incredibly fragrant wine. With fine grained tannin driving exceptional length, this wine will age gracefully for 15 years or more with careful cellaring. RRP: $120.00
The Church Road 1 Gimblett Malbec 2020 is a robust and characterful wine with generous, juicy dark berry fruit. With a full-bodied palate, the fine-grained, ripe tannins draw out the finish and while approachable now, it will age positively for at least 15 years. RRP: $120.00