2020 Church Road Tom Cabernet Merlot

"Opaque dark purple core colour with a purple and red rim, some colour staining of the tears. There’s no mistaking the complexity and completeness in the bouquet with purple flower and dark berry fruits, fresh and roasted Doris plums, blackberry then earth. Other aromas from baking spice to cacao from French oak add complexity and power. Taut, bold, firm, rich in flavours, textured and dry all touch the palate at once. Core fruits flavours of purple skinned fruits return, tannins are very firm, polished and in abundance needing cellar time to settle and integrate. Acidity keeps the wine lively and fresh, is also in abundance and will hold this wine in place for many years. Lengthy, complex and well made, a wine of provenance. Cellar please with best drinking likely from 2030 through 2050. If you decide to drink this wine before 2030 I suggest you double decant it."

“Already showing some chocolate/mocha bottle development although the wine is built for the long distance with cabernet sauvignon density and power. Impressive concentration and complexity with layers of flavour wrapped around a core of sweet fruit. A serious long distance red that should interest collectors and investors.”

”Typically a wine of great finesse, it is savoury, complex and more akin to a quality Bordeaux than other New World reds. The very generous 2020 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (69 per cent) and Merlot (31 per cent), estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels. Matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (73 per cent new), it is deeply coloured and weighty. Already expressive, it is fleshy, with rich, notably ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, and supple tannins. Best drinking 2027+.”