2021 Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Merlot

Brand	Church Road
Region	Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Merlot
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2021
Country	New Zealand

Judy Fowler’s cult Puriri Hills winery has established benchmark quality in NZ across all three levels of her Bordeaux style reds. The Pinnacle being the “Pope” … which leading international wine critic James Suckling describes as “NZ’s Chateau Latour” and Bob Campbell Master of Wine likens to “NZ’s Screaming Eagle”. Puriri Hills Estate 2021 Bordeaux style blend is grown & made with the same detail & expense of $200 - $300 Bordeaux. It costs Judy circa 3 times the normal price per tonne to harvest her fruit. For lovers of full-bodied Merlot or Cabernet led blends this 2021 Estate is one of the great cellar bargains in recent years. Merlot-dominant with Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec and Cabernet Franc... tiny 1kg per vine fruit yields ensured intense concentration. A mix of modern and traditional winemaking includes 1 - 3 weeks maceration on skins (depending on the variety) with gentle hand plunging ensuring perfect extraction of colour, tannins, and flavours. 21 months in French Oak Barriques have proved perfect in creating superb texture and complexity. Succulent and generous it has traditional Bordeaux like coolness on the fresh finish.

Complex florals, graphite, tobacco, cedar, blackcurrant, plums, leather, soy… a veritable checklist for top Bordeaux, grown & made in Clevedon.

Succulent and concentrated, with multi layers of generous blackberry, dark plum and currant fruit embraced in plush tannins and fine, lively acidity. Savoury and spice complexities are beginning to emerge at 4 years old, but the freshness of the wine is remarkable, showing why Judy doesn’t like to release her wines until they’re ready to begin enjoying. Enjoy now after decanting or cellar through to 2030-2035 with ease. Enjoy with herb crusted rack of lamb.