Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling 2022

Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling 2022

 

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Pewsey Vale
Dry Riesling 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Eden Valley
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Crisp Dry White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Riesling

The Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling is a true expression of Eden Valley terroir, offering fresh, lively flavors of citrus and herbs alongside a structured acidity, ensuring its place as a timeless classic in the Riesling world.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 96 2022
RP Robert Parker 94 2022
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2022
DCT Decanter 90 2022
WS Wine Spectator 90 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Eden Valley, located within South Australia’s Barossa region, is renowned for its cool-climate Rieslings. Elevated at approximately 500 meters, this high-altitude region enjoys cooler temperatures, ideal for preserving the vibrant acidity and delicate flavors typical of the grape. Pewsey Vale, established as the first Riesling vineyard in Eden Valley over 175 years ago, stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to quality winemaking.

The vineyard sits on shallow, sandy soils with quartz and schist gravels, which provide excellent drainage and encourage deep-rooting of the vines, leading to concentrated flavors. The north, north-east, and north-west facing slopes ensure optimal sun exposure, which is critical for even ripening in this cooler climate. These conditions allow for the development of grapes with intense flavor profiles and the region’s signature refreshing acidity.

Winemaking

The growing season saw above-average winter and spring rains, which delayed vine growth by three weeks, resulting in a smaller, concentrated crop. This vintage was marked by mild conditions, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, leading to exceptional fruit with natural acidity.

The grapes were harvested between 9 and 24 March, and the juice underwent a wild fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This fermentation method, relying on indigenous yeasts, added complexity and allowed the wine to fully express its terroir. With an alcohol level of 11.5% and just 2.2 g/L of residual sugar, this dry Riesling showcases the purity of fruit without the influence of sweetness.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with delicate green hues, indicative of its youth and freshness.
  • Aroma: On the nose, the wine offers intense aromas of dried herbs, white flowers, and citrus, notably lemons and limes, with a subtle hint of pineapple.
  • Palate: The palate is long and rich, dominated by flavors of grapefruit, lime, and a touch of fresh rosemary. The soft, natural acidity balances the bright fruit flavors, enhancing the wine’s mineral-driven finish. This wine is both approachable now and suitable for medium to long-term cellaring.

Did You Know?

Pewsey Vale was the first vineyard to plant Riesling in Eden Valley, over 175 years ago. The vineyard’s undisturbed environment and single-site focus allow it to consistently produce award-winning Riesling, making it one of Australia’s iconic Riesling producers.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Fresh oysters: The crisp acidity and citrus notes of the Riesling enhance the briny freshness of the oysters.
  • Seared scallops: The wine’s vibrant fruit complements the sweetness of the scallops, while its minerality balances the dish.
  • Salt and pepper squid: The wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the fried squid, and its citrus profile adds a refreshing contrast.
  • Thai beef salad: The wine’s herbal and lime characteristics mirror the zesty flavors in the salad, while its acidity matches the spice.

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 (2022)
A breathtakingly joyful wine! Stunning nose of ripe orange and melon! This is simultaneously extremely expressive, juicy and elegant on the medium-bodied palate. Near-perfect balance right through the super-mineral finish that’s super precise and really uplifting. Amazing value for money!

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2022)
This 2022 Single Vineyard Estate Riesling is rocky, dry, floral, fleshy, tight, talc-y, curved and flowing. It has austerity and meat in equal measure, and it lingers long after the wine has gone. What a great wine. It's pleasurable and age-worthy, with brilliant structural integrity and impressive freshness. It's complex as well. Great!

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2022)
An open-knit, floral bouquet of honeysuckle and jasmine, along with peach, lime and ginger, opens to a mouthfeel that’s almost surprisingly dry considering the honeyed nature of the nose. There’s a chalky texture, delicate flavor and lovely lift of acidity.

Decanter (DCT) : 90 Points (2022)
Appley nose with notes of pear, peachy fruit and hints of flowers. Lemony on the palate, with a zesty finish.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 90 Points (2021)
Intense and complex, with fresh grated lime zest, pear, toasted herb and Fuji apple flavors that show notes of candied ginger and beeswax on the long, expressive finish.

Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2016
Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2016
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The Contours Riesling 2016
35,00 €
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Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021
Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021
Pewsey Vale
1961 Block Riesling 2021
JS
96
RP
95
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.
29,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Pewsey Vale The Contours 10 Years Museum Release 2012
Pewsey Vale The Contours 10 Years Museum Release 2012
Pewsey Vale
The Contours 10 Years Museum Release 2012
RP
98
JH
95
WE
92
The Pewsey Vale The Contours 10 Years Museum Release Riesling 2012 showcases the remarkable aging potential of Eden Valley Riesling. After a decade in the bottle, this wine offers a perfect balance of citrus freshness, complex secondary flavors, and mineral depth, making it an extraordinary expression of bottle-aged Riesling.
52,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
26,50 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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