Framingham F-Series Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2016

Our little family became three this week, so there is less wine and more not wine/not sleeping.. In fact, I’m typing this with a dozing little one in my other arm. My hand is cramping, but who said men can’t multitask?

Anyway, this delicious Framingham Riesling was opened a few weeks back and it’s what I’ve been thinking about today. Better than just delicious, it’s a reminder that balanced sweet Riesling isn’t just a northern hemisphere thing. Dr Andrew Hedley has shown that Marlborough can do Germanic styles – despite public perception that it’s just Sauv Blanc country – and here’s more proof.

With 300g/L of residual sugar, we’re in luscious wine territory. But the joy here is that it’s not overdone. Honeysuckle, lime curd, white peach – the nose suggests plenty of botrytis, but it’s more citrus rather then the marmalade of Sauternes. It’s still very full, very generous and impossibly rich, like true Mosel TBA. Yet there’s a freshness on the finish – a cut and lift, even if it’s not quite piercing German acidity. You could slip this ina lineup of classic TBA and while it may look a little different, the form and class would be obvious. The balance is perfect too, so you don’t feel like you’re drinking liquid Fruit Tingles as a result.

Deeply satisfying, unctuous Riesling and in TBA context, fairly priced too, this Framingham is a delight. A statement wine to remind that not all Aus/NZ dessert wines need be hard work. Best drinking: Good now and likely for at least a decade. 18.7/20,95/100.
9%, $65 375ml bottle. Would I buy it? I have another ready to go and I’m happy about this.