Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2016

Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2016

 

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Pewsey Vale
The Contours Riesling 2016
  • Vintage : 2016
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Eden Valley
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Riesling

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 97 2016
RP Robert Parker 95 2016
WE Wine Enthusiast 94 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

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) : 97 Points (2016)
So vibrant for it’s age, this has great concentration of candied-lime and grapefruit-zest character. Terrific structure and energy on the driving palate, but all of this is wrapped in rich citrus fruit to create stunningly complete harmony. Very long and compact finish that suggests this has at least a further decade of aging potential.

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2016)
The 2016 The Contours Riesling leads with cold buttered toast, creamed honey, fennel seeds and brine, while in the mouth, the wine expands to fill every available space. This is rich, complex and so fresh. It's kindly held back in the cellar for our drinking pleasure, so it is definitely ready for immediate consumption; but should you choose to rest this another decade or two, that would also be great.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 94 Points (2016)
Intensely aromatic, this museum release Riesling, from old vines on a cool site, deftly demonstrates how excellently this variety ages. Honey-roasted almonds, kerosene, lime oil and can- died ginger progress to a dry, concentrated palate. Long, harmonious and fresh, it tingles with still- racy acidity and heaps of lemon-lime and floral flavors.

Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling 2022
Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling 2022
Pewsey Vale
Dry Riesling 2022
WE
92
DCT
90
JS
96
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.
26,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021
Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2021
Pewsey Vale
1961 Block Riesling 2021
RP
95
JS
96
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
35,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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