Church Road McDonald Merlot 750ml

Church Road McDonald Merlot offers dense, brooding plum and dark berry fruit at its core, supported by lifted aromas of rose, cedar, sandalwood, and warm spice. The palate is rich and weighty with firm yet fine-grained tannins, while oak contributes underlying dark chocolate and savoury notes. The finish is long and persistent with lingering dark fruit and subtle spice.

This Merlot is sourced from Redstone Vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine Growing District of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The site is one of the warmest vineyards in the region, ideal for cultivating later ripening varieties like Merlot. The terroir imparts an iron-like minerality alongside ripe, supple fruit character.

Church Road McDonald Merlot pairs beautifully with roasted venison, grilled ribeye steak, or slow-braised lamb shoulder. The wine's rich fruit and velvety tannins complement red meat dishes particularly well. Its structure and weight also suit hearty game preparations and rich, savoury sauces.

This Merlot complements dishes with robust, savoury flavours such as beef Wellington, venison pie, or lamb ragu. The wine's fine-grained tannins and dark fruit profile work well with dishes featuring mushrooms, roasted root vegetables, or rich jus. It also suits aged hard cheeses as part of a cheese course.

Serve Church Road McDonald Merlot at 16-18 degrees Celsius to allow the aromatics to fully express. Use a large-bowled red wine glass to maximise the wine's bouquet of rose, cedar, and warm spice. While not essential, decanting for 30 minutes can help soften the tannins and open up the fruit character.