2023 F-Series Marlborough Old Vine Riesling, Framingham F-Series

• Style: Dry, mineral-driven aromatic white
• Taste: Citrus, stone minerality, exotic fruit with delicate residual sweetness
• Food: Shellfish, spicy Asian, white fish, sushi, charcuterie
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, aperitivo
• Serve: Chilled; 13% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Orange peel and lemon zest lead, followed by wet stone minerality and savoury undertow. The palate shows concentrated exotic fruit with real presence, balanced by a whisper of residual sweetness (3.5g/L) that reads as brightness rather than sugar. Crisp, refined length at 13% alcohol marks this as cool-climate ripening at its best.

The Winery — Framingham F-Series

The F-Series represents an alternative vision within the Framingham range — honouring core house style while embracing innovation. Head winemaker Andrew and his team use this strictly limited edition to experiment with techniques and craft small-batch wines capturing each vintage's essence. The 2023 comes from 40-year-old vines on Renwick's organically managed greywacke and alluvial soils. Variable spring conditions and an early March frost tested the vineyard, but proactive canopy management preserved clean fruit and vibrant acidity. Ninety per cent of hand-harvested fruit underwent whole-bunch pressing to Acacia barrel for spontaneous fermentation; the remainder received partial skin contact before ceramic jar finishing. Ten months on full lees, un-sulphured, before blending and bottling under screwcap — miniature craft winemaking at its finest.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve this Riesling cold alongside oysters, ceviche, Thai spice, blue cheese or charcuterie boards. Its precision and restraint make it equally at home as an aperitivo or with white fish and sushi. Among the finest aromatic white examples from Marlborough, it epitomises New Zealand's mastery of the variety — age-worthy, organically farmed, vegan-friendly. Explore more from this producer and the region; there's a world beyond Sauvignon Blanc waiting in our full New Zealand selection.