Aotea Cabernet Franc 2019

Our love of this underrated grape variety knows no bounds. The Seifried family’s Aotea Cabernet Franc is one of our favourite finds of the year and will be one of our go-to summer reds.

Nelson, located at the top of the South Island, is home to some of New Zealand’s finest aromatic wines. The region may only account for a tiny proportion of the country’s wine production, but cream rises to the top, and that’s why the Seifried Estate has become such a recognised name.

2019 was an outstanding vintage in Nelson, resulting in super-impressive and remarkably lively Cabernet Franc. So much so that the Seifrieds decided to keep some aside from their Brightwater vineyard, and then make a pure Cabernet Franc matured in French oak for a year. Inky, plush and youthful, this vegan-friendly red has flavours of blueberry, blackcurrant, plum, crushed raspberry, dark chocolate and a seasoning of oaky spices. Aotea is definitely Cabernet Franc, but without the greenness sometimes associate with this grape variety. It almost has a rich Beaujolais kind of vibe going on, which is simply screaming out for barbeque season.