Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling 2020

The Eden Valley is one of those rare places in the world that has nigh on perfect conditions for growing the delicate, choosy Riesling grape. It has it all: altitude (the Pewsey Vale vineyard is 500 metres above sea level), undulating hills and sandy loam soils with some clay sub-soils.

This might not sound jaw-droppingly exciting but it's pretty much paradise on earth for Riesling and means that winemaker Louisa Rose can access the grape's intense crushed stone and lemon/lime fruit flavours, with hints of dried rosemary.

The planting material at Pewsey Vale is the Pewsey Vale Clone, which was planted in Eden Valley in the 1800's and can be traced back to some of the original vine cuttings brought into Australia by James Busby. Any new plantings at Pewsey Vale are propagated from the original vines.

The Pewsey Vale Vineyard was first planted with Riesling by Joseph Gilbert in 1847. The site was later purchased by well-known grazier Geoff Angas-Parsons who, in 1961, invited his friend Wyndham Hill Smith to jointly develop the historic vineyard site and plant Riesling after they had researched the old records and studied the climate, soil types and suitable clones. They believed the site could produce ‘delicate Rieslings in the Germanic style’.

Amongst gentle undulating hills, nestled close to Pewsey Vale Peak, which sits to the west of the town of Eden Valley, Pewsey Vale is nearly 500 metres above sea level. The quality of this vineyard is a reflection of this altitude and the low fertility of the grey sandy loam soils that prolong ripening into the cool autumn season.

This long ripening period develops unique, consistent flavour profiles which are now described as ‘classic Pewsey Vale’. The 2011 Pewsey Vale Vineyard Riesling is a classic example of dry Eden Valley Riesling. Pale straw with green hues, the wine shows intense fruit aromas of talcum, crushed stone and lemon lime fruit, with a hint of overlaying dried herb. The palate shows great length and depth with lime, a hint of white flowers and fresh rosemary. The wine finishes with a fresh natural acidity that balances the flavour intensity and a minerality that will reward medium to long-term cellaring.