Church Road is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand. Led by legendary winemaker Tom McDonald, they were one of the first to craft exceptional Bordeaux-style red wine in Hawkes Bay. Today, they still maintain Toms vision of quality and craft in all the wines they make. Church Roads commitment to centuries-old winemaking techniques using French oak wine vats and French oak barriques remains undiminished. The winery is celebrating Tom McDonalds vision and legacy with the Church Road McDonald Series, complex, textural wines that are a fitting tribute to a legend whose influence is still felt today. This is a serious, multidimensional Merlot. The heart of this wine is its dense, brooding plum and dark berry fruit. This is complimented by lifted aromas reminiscent of roses, cedar, sandalwood and warm spice, while the oak delivers underlying dark chocolate and savoury notes. The palate is rich, weighty and long driven by a firm yet fine-grained tannin structure.

At last an affordable Merlot with some real varietal character! Grant Burge Hillcot range has soft ripe red berry and raspberry aromas on the nose. Followed by ripe plum and cherry flavours enhanced by well-integrated oak.

Leconfield's Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship of Leconfield and a classic Coonawarra Cabernet. Blackcurrant aromas are combined with cedary oak and the palate is laden with sweet berry fruit balanced by fine lingering tannins. Paul Gordon has taken this classic beauty to even greater heights in recent years as its award history can attest.

Now sourcing fruit from premium regions across Australia, this Cabernet blend shows varietal mint on the nose with floral notes in the background. The palate has good weight and texture, the flavours of blackcurrant and herb framed by firm tannins.

This wine by JJ Hahn showcases the lovely softness, elegance and sensitivity that is Merlot. This vineyard has continually produced fruit that doesn't show excessive ripeness on the nose or on the palate and has always surprised us in the most difficult of years.

Yellow Tail Merlot is soft and supple, with sweet, plum and cherry flavours and a hint of liquorice or anise. Merlot is an excellent alternative to the heavier and more tannic red varieties.

Te Mata Gamay Noir has notes of red candy-apple and hints of ripe strawberry. The palate is saturated raspberry; juicy and sustained with silky, round tannins, accompanied by a fine dusting of liquorice and white pepper. Red-ripe fruit, crunchy acidity, and a fresh and intense style. Match with spicy cuisines.

LTCf stands for 'little touch of cabernet franc'. This classic Bordeaux blend has plenty of rich and concentrated flavours with fine tannins.

Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied Cabernet from the Barossa Valley. This wine is dark intense textured and abounds with wonderful chocolate and mint characters.