Noble Riesling Marlborough 2021 – Framingham (375ml)

To produce the Noble Riesling Marlborough Framingham, grapes underwent a selective hand harvest in four separate pickings between April and May. Bunches were selected with largely 100% botrytis-affected berries, though most were in the relatively early stages of dehydration and not yet fully raisined and the remainder were just turning in colour with early bortytis bloom. The grapes net brix was 36° (158 Öchsle). The must was fermented in both stainless steel and old oak barrels.

Grapes for the Noble Riesling were selected from the old, organically-grown vines on the Framingham estate vineyard. Soils there are of the old river bed type; fist-sized stones composed of greywacke (a hard, dark type of sandstone streaked with quartz and feldspar), mixed alluvial gravel and silt. Vineyard practice for this wine is geared to produce ripe grapes that have had maximum “hang time” on the vine.

The Framingham label was launched in 1994 with one Riesling, and has since expanded to include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Framingham produces wines from their 19.5 hectare estate vineyard (certified organic since 2014) and other selected sites. Their Riesling vines, planted in 1981, are among the oldest in Marlborough. Andrew Brown joined Framingham as head winemaker in January 2020, replacing Dr Andrew Hedley, who resigned from his role after 18 years at the helm. A highly regarded winemaker, Brown previously spent seven years at Framingham as assistant winemaker and understudy to Andrew Hedley before working as consultant in regions including Oregon, Central Otago and Alsace. One of Brown’s Rieslings won the Champion Riesling Trophy at the New Zealand International Wine Show in 2019; a fitting accolade from someone taking the reins at Framingham, who have always been renowned for their Rieslings.