Team C&J
An under $20 bottle of wine that was rated 96 points by James Suckling and 95 points by Wine Advocate? How did the 2022 Pewsey Vale Riesling achieve that?!
Pewsey Vale Vineyard is situated in the Eden Valley of Australia’s Barossa region, and is renowned for its exceptional Rieslings. The Rieslings of Pewsey Vale are celebrated for their distinctiveness, and their ability to display a vibrant and crisp profile. The cool climate of the Eden Valley, with its higher altitude and rocky, mineral-rich soils, provides an ideal terroir for cultivating Riesling grapes that work well with the winery’s dry-styled Riesling.
While Rieslings can be hit or miss when it comes to ageability, the wines of Pewsey Vale are renowned for their ability to age gracefully, developing complex flavors and a unique petrol-like character over time. In this way, they’re not dissimilar to the cellar-worthy wines of Austria or Germany.
From its founding in 1847, the heart and soul of Pewsey Vale Vineyards have been cool climate wines. Founder Joseph Gilbert was a trailblazer in Eden Valley and was among the first people to plant grape vines there. Gilbert, who was a Brit, was able to source the cuttings he used to create his vineyard all the way from England via the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Chiswick. At the time, the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Chiswick were considered the most important garden in the UK.
Under Gilbert’s watchful eye, the grapes thrived. Many of the wines produced were sent back to his home country to compete in wine competitions, where garnered high praise and took home award after award.
After Gilbert died, the vineyard fell on hard times, and, ultimately, the valley rewilded itself. It wasn’t until Wyndham Hill-Smith, a prominent winery owner, became aware of the site in the 1960s that it was restored to its former glory.
The Hill-Smith family, who also own Yalumba Wine, Oxford Landing, and a host of other Australian wineries, now owns the vineyard, and we have them to thank for creating these dazzling Rieslings.
Winemaker Louisa Rose is a big name in the Australian wine scene. Her advocacy for biodynamic farming, minimal intervention techniques like using native yeast, as opposed to commercial yeasts, have brought her praise from critics since she began crafting wines in 1996.
The saying, “do one thing and do it really well” is wholly embraced at this winery. Pewsey Vale Rieslings are a thing in Australia. In fact, they are the only thing the brand is focused on, which allows this company to execute these crisp, dry Rieslings with a precision that is unmatched.
The winery’s location in Eden Valley sits 485 meters above sea level, and each vineyard block is dedicated to Riesling grapes. After you try the 2022 Pewsey Vale Riesling, the next must-sip bottle should be the brand’s Contours Riesling. These aged Rieslings are site specific from the organically farmed Contours vineyard, and they age like a dream. The current release is from 2016.
Tasting Notes:
The 2022 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling presents an intense lemon-white hue in the glass, and the nose radiates with fully pronounced aromas of nose exuding vibrant apple, zesty lemon, and tangy lime alongside subtle secondary and tertiary notes like gravel, smoke, and petrol. When we talk about Riesling, the first thing that comes to mind is petrol, but, interestingly, that classic note appears relegated to the nose. Instead, the palate leans into a quirky lemon-lime note and playful apple.
A nice amount of acidity, coupled with the medium-plus body give this wine a lot of backbone.
The 2022 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling presents an intense lemon-white hue in the glass, and the nose radiates with fully pronounced aromas of nose exuding vibrant apple, zesty lemon, and tangy lime alongside subtle secondary and tertiary notes like gravel, smoke, and petrol. When we talk about Riesling, the first thing that comes to mind is petrol, but, interestingly, that classic note appears relegated to the nose. Instead, the palate leans into a quirky lemon-lime note and playful apple.
A nice amount of acidity, coupled with the medium-plus body give this wine a lot of backbone.
Pewsey Vale Rieslings are highly regarded for their consistency in quality across vintages, reflecting the winery’s dedication to crafting wines that express the unique characteristics of their terroir while delivering an exceptional drinking experience. For the price, the 2022 Pewsey Vale Riesling offers sippers a lot. The wines can be a little difficult to source in the US, so if you see them at your local shop, be sure to grab a bottle or two while you can.
Is Australia Riesling dry or sweet?
Australian Riesling is a dry, light-bodied wine with pronounced acidity and a citrusy profile. These wines often showcase zippy lemon or lime notes. These Rieslings have a distinctive mineral edge and can age for years. Beyond citrus, Australia’s Rieslings may reveal hints of apple, apricot, peach, and nectarine.
What is the best Riesling in Australia?
The best Rieslings in Australia come from the Edna Valley and Clare Valley. The German grape ripens well in warm day-time temperatures, and thrives in the cool evenings
Australia
Eden Valley
Riesling
12.5
Louisa Rose
49–55°F / 9–12°C
Burgundy
Not Needed
Now to 2032
Pewsey Vale
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