Church Road 09 Reserve Cabernet merlot, Hawkes Bay NZ

Having seriously fallen out of love with the whole Cabernet merlot phenoninum, all herbaceousness, dust/ earth and lack of tannins. The latest Reserve release by Church Road caught me by surprise. Dark chocolate, cedar and rich fruit instantly jump from the glass. These flavours flow from the nose, to your palette seamlessly! I'd expected another 'Ho Hum' attempt at copying the Bourdelaise at their own game. No copy here , something very original I thought. If this the future fore Hawkes Bay reds then sign me up.