Old Coach Road Merlot 2014

Wine Analysis

Vineyard: Seifried Edens Road Vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 23.2°Brix
Date of Harvest: Late April 2014
pH of Wine: 3.52
T.A of Wine: 5.4g/L
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

The Vineyard

The 2014 Old Coach Road Merlot comes from our relatively youthful Edens Road Vineyard. This vineyard is bordered by the Wairoa River and is noted for its exceptionally stony soil structure. The bouldery free draining soil is very harsh on our vineyard equipment, but vital for holding the warmth of the Nelson sun and for ripening grapes.

Winemakers Note

The fruit was harvested in late April 2014, and was fermented in stainless steel open top fermenters, over a two week period. The fermenting grapes were plunged twice daily throughout fermentation to help extract colour, tannin and to build structure into the wine.

The young wine was drained to oak barrels immediately following primary fermentation to begin malolactic fermentation. It was aged in one, two and three year old French barriques for a period of one year. The final wine was blended, stabilised and bottled in late 2015.

Tasting Note

The 2014 Old Coach Road Merlot has an inviting fragrant nose with mocha and dark berry notes. The palate has summer plums, gentle spice and supple tannins leaving a toasty finish.