The boutique Framingham Winery is named after founder Rex Brooke-Taylor's ancestral home of Framingham, Norfolk, UK, and is situated at Renwick in the Marlborough region of New Zealand's South Island. Although the first vintage was not released until 1994, the vineyards had been in place since the early 1980's and in 1997 a new winery was constructed to allow the company to continue to focus on single varietals including Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling and, unusually, Montepulciano from which this savoury red is made. From the Kaituna vineyard on the north bank of Marlborough's Wairu River, the wine is matured in a combination of French and American oak barriques for 18 months.

A cherry-red in colour. The nose displays savoury aromas reminiscent of liquorice, smoke and tobacco leaf, with some sweet mulberry fruit notes. The palate is concentrated with fine, silky tannins that are immediately approachable. Rich flavours of cherry and blackcurrant contrast nicely with supporting sweet, smoky oak, and dark chocolate notes. Savoury tobacco and mineral characters provide some complexity. Fine acid balance promotes a long juicy, finish. Try with a chicken and cannellini bean stew with rocket, Tuscan bean soup with prosciutto or stuffed aubergines with ruby chard and spinach salad.