Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021

Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021

 

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Pewsey Vale
1961 Block Riesling 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Eden Valley
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Riesling

Crafted from Pewsey Vale’s oldest vines, the 1961 Block Riesling captures the essence of Eden Valley terroir. Its wild fermentation and lees aging impart a textural complexity that complements its vibrant acidity and striking mineral backbone.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 96 2021
RP Robert Parker 94+ 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Eden Valley is part of South Australia’s famed Barossa wine region, renowned for producing world-class Rieslings. At an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, this region enjoys a cooler climate, ideal for growing Riesling. The combination of cool nights and warm days helps to preserve the vibrant acidity while promoting the development of complex flavors.

The Pewsey Vale Vineyard, established in 1847, holds a legacy of producing exceptional Riesling, with some of the vines used in the 1961 Block being among the oldest in the area. These vines benefit from the diverse and well-drained soils of the region, which consist primarily of weathered loams and quartzite. This soil composition contributes to the wine’s signature minerality. Sustainable viticulture is practiced on the estate, enhancing the vineyard's biodiversity and ensuring minimal intervention is required in the winemaking process.

Winemaking

The 1961 Block Riesling is crafted with a focus on showcasing the purity of the fruit. The grapes are handpicked from the oldest vines on the Pewsey Vale estate, ensuring that only the finest fruit is selected. Following harvest in February, the juice undergoes a wild fermentation, meaning that only indigenous yeasts from the vineyard are used. This process adds an additional layer of complexity and a sense of place to the wine.

After fermentation, the wine is aged on fine lees for several months, which imparts a subtle creaminess to the texture while allowing the Riesling's natural acidity and vibrant fruit characteristics to shine. The wine was then bottled with minimal intervention, highlighting the estate’s philosophy of allowing the vineyard to speak for itself through the wine.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: The wine is a pale lemon with green hues, reflecting its youth and vibrancy.
  • Aroma: A captivating bouquet of lemon myrtle, tea tree blossom, and hints of fresh lime zest interwoven with a pronounced quartz-like minerality.
  • Palate: On the palate, the wine is pristine and taut, delivering flavors of citrus, particularly lemon and lime, with a subtle herbal note of eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is elegant yet firm, with a remarkable mineral-driven finish that adds length and complexity. The wine’s vibrant acidity provides great aging potential, while its delicate texture makes it enjoyable now.

Did You Know?

The 1961 Block was planted in the year 1961, marking a significant milestone in Pewsey Vale’s history. This block has become a symbol of the estate's commitment to crafting wines that reflect both the heritage of the vineyard and modern winemaking techniques. The wine’s name honors the rich legacy of these vines, which have survived through generations of careful cultivation.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Kingfish sashimi with chilli lime dressing: The citrus brightness of the wine complements the delicate flavors of the sashimi, while its acidity cuts through the richness of the fish.
  • Vegetable spring rolls with Vietnamese herbs: The herbal notes of the wine mirror the fresh herbs, while its minerality enhances the dish's light, crispy texture.
  • Goat cheese tart with caramelized onions: The wine’s acidity balances the creaminess of the cheese, and its citrusy character complements the sweetness of the caramelized onions.
  • Prawn and fennel salad: The bright citrus and mineral backbone of the Riesling pairs beautifully with the aniseed flavors of fennel and the sweetness of fresh prawns.

History of Pewsey Vale Estate

Pewsey Vale Vineyard has a long and storied history, dating back to its establishment in 1847. It was founded by Joseph Gilbert, who was a pioneer in Australian viticulture. Gilbert recognized the potential of Eden Valley’s cool climate for grape growing and planted the first Riesling vines in the region, making Pewsey Vale the first vineyard to cultivate this variety in Eden Valley.

Over the years, Pewsey Vale has cemented its reputation as a benchmark for Australian Riesling. In the mid-20th century, under the guidance of the Hill-Smith family, the vineyard underwent significant restoration, which revived its historic plantings and reinforced its focus on Riesling. Today, under the leadership of winemaker Louisa Rose, Pewsey Vale continues to craft Rieslings that balance tradition with modern winemaking techniques, while staying true to the vineyard’s origins.

Region and Vineyards

Located in Eden Valley, a sub-region of the Barossa, Pewsey Vale Vineyard benefits from high-altitude, cool-climate conditions that are ideal for producing Riesling. The vineyard is set at 500 meters above sea level, where the combination of cool nights and warm days allows for slow ripening, resulting in grapes with intense flavor and bright acidity.

The soils in the vineyard are primarily shallow sandy loams with quartz and schist gravels, providing excellent drainage and promoting the development of deep-rooted vines. These soil characteristics, coupled with north and north-east facing slopes, ensure optimal sun exposure and contribute to the vineyard’s signature mineral-driven wines.

Pewsey Vale’s commitment to sustainable viticulture is evident in its minimal intervention approach, which allows the vineyard’s natural biodiversity to flourish. This respect for the environment ensures that each vintage captures the essence of the terroir, resulting in wines of purity and finesse.

Wine Range

Pewsey Vale is singularly focused on producing Riesling. The vineyard offers a range of Riesling expressions, each showcasing the versatility and aging potential of this noble variety. The range includes:

  • Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling: The flagship wine, representing the purest expression of the vineyard with vibrant citrus flavors and a crisp, mineral finish.
  • Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling: A wine made from the estate's oldest vines, offering depth, complexity, and aging potential.
  • Pewsey Vale Museum Reserve: A carefully aged Riesling that demonstrates the grape’s capacity to evolve over time, developing complex secondary notes while maintaining its vibrant acidity.

Did You Know?

Pewsey Vale was the first vineyard to plant Riesling in Eden Valley, making it a trailblazer for this varietal in Australia. This pioneering spirit has led to Pewsey Vale becoming a reference point for high-quality Riesling, both domestically and internationally.

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2021)
An Australian dry riesling that you really want to linger over. So much lemon blossom and lemon balm on the nose. Very subtle on the medium-bodied palate, with delicate citrus and white-nectarine fruit. It sounds like a contradiction, but this has a wonderfully filigree mouth-feel at the super-stony finish. From 60-year-old vines planted in 1961.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94+ Points (2021)
The 2021 1961 Block Riesling leads with nettle-like acidity in the mouth, while the fruit holds a more placid court in the mid-palate. This is plump and pillowy, yet it has mineral definition and intensity of flavor. It's all on the back palate and lingering. Very good indeed. This has a conservative drinking window.

Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling 2022
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WE
92
DCT
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JS
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JH
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WE
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Wine regions guide
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