2020

Church House Malbec Merlot

Rustic, earthy and fruity

 

Big and fruity with hints of plum, blackberry and a lovely rustic and earthy finish. This delicious red blend is perfect with a good kiwi BBQ.

Vegan friendly

 

93 POINTS – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

93 POINTS (Excellent) – Cameron Douglas, MS

 

 

VARIETAL

70% Malbec, 30% Merlot

VINEYARD

Tietjen

CLONE

ENTAV-INRA 595 & Premium Import Selection

APPELLATION

Hexton Hills (Golden Slopes)

VINTAGE

2020

Profile

Dry

ALCOHOL

13.0%

TASTE

Rustic, earthy and fruity

TA

6.17 g/L

pH

3.74

RESIDUAL SUGAR

<1.0 g/L

VOLUME

750 mL

Church House Malbec Merlot

Vineyard Review

The grapes for this wine are sourced from the Tietjen’s vineyard in the Hexton Hills appellation of Gisborne. Grown on Kaiti Clay loam soil and planted in 2009, the fruit is 100% leaf plucked around the fruit zone and only two canes are laid down to ensure good ripeness, colour and texture in the wine.

Winemaking

The harvest decisions at Matawhero are made after the winemaker and viticulturist concur that the grapes are flavour ready. After another good growing season in Gisborne, the Malbec achieved good ripeness. The grapes were machine harvested and tank fermented. The juice was then pumped over regularly to extract colour and tannin. The wine was pressed at dryness and underwent full malolactic fermentation. After 10 months maturation, the wine was filtered and bottled.

Tasting Room

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep crimson

Aroma

Lifted aromatic notes of Doris plum, dark fruits and dusty herbs.

Palate

Big and fruity with hints of plum, blackberry, blueberry and dried herbs. The wine has a big, ripe tannic finish.

Food Match

Lovely with any red meat dish.