Old Coach Road Malbec Cabernet Franc Merlot 2021

Soft Bordeaux Blend

In New Zealand, due to the cool climate, Pinot Noir is more prevalent than Bordeaux varieties for red wines.

However, there are still producers who have taken on the challenge and created an affordable Bordeaux blend.

One such producer is Seifried Estate in Nelson, South Island.

Seifried Estate is a winery led by Hermann Seifried, who is also a pioneer in Nelson.

Their value brand, "Old Coach Road," is a popular series even in New Zealand, known for its fruit-forward and approachable wines.

Their Malbec Cabernet Franc is an ambitious creation that allows for a richly concentrated blend wine even in the cool climate of the South Island.

The grapes are grown in Nelson's "Clover Road" and "Brightwater" vineyards, located a few kilometers from the coastline. Both vineyards are overlooked by the Richmond Mountains to the south, and these high mountains effectively protect against strong southerly winds.

In addition, both vineyards have a high proportion of rocks and pebbles, which helps the ground retain heat well even in a cool region. This aids in the ripening of the grapes.

Incidentally, this is Seifried Estate's cellar door (tasting and sales facility). Roses are planted right next to it.

The winery staff told us, "Roses get sick before grapes do, so we use them as a disease sensor."

The cellar door staff were very kind and explained each wine to us.

Now, let's try the Old Coach Road Malbec Cabernet Franc again.

Tasting Notes

The color is subtle with reddish tones.

The aroma is a exquisite blend of tart red fruit like raspberry and floral nuances reminiscent of violet, intertwined with the spiciness of nutmeg and clove.

On the palate, it is soft and bright. Fruity flavors like cherry and plum spread. The astringency is moderate, with a hint of spice lingering on the finish.

This is not a traditional full-bodied, highly tannic Bordeaux type, but rather a refreshing Bordeaux blend with fruitiness and transparency.

Recommended Pairings

This wine pairs well with dishes such as:

• Prosciutto, mushroom, and arugula salad
  
• Tuna tartare
  
• Roast chicken (with rosemary and berry sauce)
  
• Nikujaga (Japanese meat and potato stew)
  
• Pork ginger stir-fry

It pairs with a wide range of dishes, but to enhance the pairing, it's important that the seasoning is "not too strong" to balance with this light wine.

While beef is fine, gentler chicken or pork dishes tend to be a better match.

About the Winery "Seifried Estate"

Seifried Estate is a winery founded by the Seifried couple, immigrants from Austria. They began developing vineyards in the 1970s and are now known as the oldest winery in the Nelson region. They excel in Austrian and German grape varieties, their country of origin, and have won numerous awards in international competitions.

About the Nelson Region

Nelson is located in the northern part of the South Island and is affectionately known as "Sunny Nelson" due to its exceptionally long annual sunshine hours.

This relatively small region is home to mostly small wineries, often referred to as boutique wineries.

Leveraging its abundant sunshine, it primarily produces aromatic white wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. For red wines, Pinot Noir with strong fruit flavors is popular. Nelson is also famous for its hops and fruit production.

Old Coach Road Malbec Cabernet Franc 2022