2016 F-Series Marlborough Old Vine Riesling
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Tasting notes
35-year-old organically farmed vines planted in greywacke and alluvial gravel and silt. All fruit was harvested by hand, and then separated into two portions on arrival at the winery. Half of the grapes were destemmed and given six hours skin contact before pressing, and the rest were whole-bunch pressed. Unclarified musts were settled for 12 hours before racking off gross solids to a mixture of stainless-steel barrels and older oak. Fermentation was allowed to start spontaneously, and the components were left on full ferment lees for nine months before blending and bottling. Of the total volume, approximately 12% was fermented in old oak. TA 7.2 g/l, RS 7.7 g/l, pH 3.07. Very pale gold. Ripe, quite broad aroma that reminds me more of an Austrian than an NZ Riesling, with a spicy mineral quality as well as the orangey citrus fragrance. There's definitely a light tannic aspect to the texture and it fills the mouth even with the mouth-watering freshness of the high acidity and some tangy lime fruit on the finish. A really bold style statement here with both intensity and length. Lots of spice on the finish and well balanced in a relatively full-bodied style. I am not totally convinced about its ability to age in the very long term but certainly no rush to drink this. (JH)
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Average Score
Raymond Chan
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Bright, light golden-hued straw-yellow colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is initially restrained but grows to show solid and well-concentrated core of lime fruit unfolding nuances of honeysuckle along with thirst-quenching wet-stone minerals. The aromatics become more voluminous with aeration. Dryish to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has intense and penetrating, rich flavours of lime fruit with an amalgam of honeysuckle and minerals. The palate has plenty of fruit extract and a fine phenolic texture, balanced by crisp, lively acidity providing linearity, power and drive. The wine carries to a dry, lingering finish of citrus fruits and mouthwatering minerals. This is a rich, powerfully penetrating dry Riesling with lime, honeysuckle and mineral flavours on a refreshing, textural palate. Fruit from the ‘Front Block’, vines 35 y.o., 50% given 6 hours skin contact, with full indigenous yeast ferment, 90% in stainless-steel barrel and 10% in seasoned oak to 13.5% alc. and 7.7 g/L RS, TA 7.2 g/L and pH 3.07, the wine aged 9 months on full ferment lees. 215 dozen made.
Marginally fuller-bodied than the outstanding 2015, the 2016 F-Series Old Vine Riesling is also slightly more evolved, showing hints of orange marmalade on the nose and palate. It remains an authoritative example of New Zealand dry Riesling, showcasing ripe citrus and stone fruit; it just seems destined to have a shorter life than the 2015.