I’m not one to turn down the opportunity to try wines side by side that have a few years age difference – wine is always a learning game, and the more you taste, they more you can understand. Today is a pair of one of Framingham’s range of riesling – they make wines ranging from bone dry to dessert, and ‘Select’ is based on the German style of ‘Spätlese’. To us that really means it is off-dry, and has lower alcohol levels – 8.5% and 9% respectively. Made by two winemakers – the earlier version would be Andrew Hedley; and now it is Andrew Brown in charge at Framingham.
2016 vintage – The bouquet shows that kerosene tang that older riesling develops, with lime, melon, orange peel, apricot and honeysuckle floral notes on the nose. The tightrope between a racy acidity and the fruit sweetness is where this wine comes alive. There is no cloying sugary feeling, or botrytis funk here, just pure, mouthwatering energy and fine balance. A hint of chalky minerality at the back of the palate fits in, and the finish is drier and long. 94pts
2024 vintage – Varietally pure perfume, packed with citrus aromas of lemongrass, lime, satsuma and grapefruit. A hint of spice and some lovely white flower top notes. Breezing into the palate, light, bright and clean. Sharp acidity is mellowed by some residual sugar – it sits somewhere around ‘medium’ on the scale. Youthful and fresh, this well-crafted expression can be enjoyed now, or look to the 2016 (and beyond) as examples of increased depth and complexity. I like my rieslings with 20 years on them, but can get a lot of enjoyment from a new release too. 92pts
