Church Road TOM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

TOM is the pinnacle of winemaking at Church Road and only ever released in the greatest of vintages.

TOM is Church Road’s tribute to one of New Zealand’s winemaking legends, Tom McDonald. The very best parcels of fruit (69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot) from their Bridge Pa and Gimblett Gravels vineyards, a meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the winemaking process, aged for 18 months in French oak, a truly world class example of Bordeaux blend red that’s a fitting tribute to Tom, nicknamed “The Father of red winemaking in New Zealand“.

Tom released NZ’s first commercial Cabernet Sauvignon in 1949, in later years pioneering New Zealand Chardonnay. By the 1960’s his Cabernets were being compared to some of the First Growth wines of Bordeaux. So yep, there’s certainly a bit of pressure when it comes to a release under the TOM label!

There’s a hell of a lot of excitement over this 2020 release with 5 Star rating from Michael Cooper not long after its release in late 2023. Coops said ” 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+.”

And scoring a whopping 97/100 with Master of Wine Bob Campbell who said “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.”

Each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a stunning Church Road TOM gift box. If you’re a TOM collector, this is the one you’ve been waiting for! If you’re new to TOM, what a way to start! This is a wine they’ll be talking about for years to come.

We’ve secured a small shipment but once it’s gone, it’s gone. Cellar this one up to 2040.