From: Eden Valley, Barossa, Australia
Varietal: Riesling
Critical Acclaim: JS 96 James Suckling
A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode.
WS 90 Wine Spectator
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. Drink now.
WE 90 Wine Enthusiast
With a bit of CO2 in the glass, this is quiet at first, taking its time to release the stone-fruit and lime-blossom characters from its grip. Once it does, it’s a delicate drop. In the mouth, bracing acidity cuts through the chalky texture and gentle fresh fruit and floral flavors. The best may be yet to come, but for now it’s refreshing and seafood friendly.
Taste: This charming Riesling opens with intense aromas of fine dried herbs, white flowers, and a fresh duo of lemons and lime. On the palate, it's rich with notes of grapefruit, lime, and fresh rosemary. A soft natural acidity and a pronounced minerality come together for a harmonious, delicious finish. This is a well-balanced wine that's perfect to enjoy now or to cellar for medium to long-term maturation.
Pairing: This Riesling pairs excellently with a variety of dishes. The bracing acidity and citrus notes make it a perfect match for fresh seafood like oysters, seared scallops, and salt-and-pepper squid. It can also be enjoyed with Thai beef salad (check it out below) or a fresh tomato salad with pickled walnuts and basil, where its crisp profile will compliment the spicy, tangy flavors. For a truly memorable experience, try it with complex, basil-laced, spicy Thai noodles.
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef and Noodle Salad
By David Tanis
About. This 100% Riesling, grown at an elevation of 1,400-1,600 feet on thin, infertile soils in the cool climes of southeastern Australia’s Eden Valley, reaches new heights of definition, complexity and satisfaction. Enjoy this lower ABV benchmark Australian dry Riesling year after year with everything from fresh oysters, seared scallops, salt and pepper squid, Thai beef salad, or a tomato salad with pickled walnuts and fresh basil.
The Winery and the Region. The esteemed Pewsey Vale Vineyard was established in 1847 in the Eden Valley, marking the advent of some of Australia's first cool-climate wines. It enjoys a prime position above the Barossa Valley, situated at an altitude between 450 and 500 metres above sea level. This vantage point provides the vineyard with cooler temperatures and a greater diurnal range, allowing the grapes to retain their natural acidity and develop their fine flavours well into the cool, dry autumn. The soils are generally shallow, rocky and acidic, with special pockets of deeper soils and finer rocks where the vineyards are planted. The result? Some of the best Riesling wines in the world, including the Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2021.
Recognizing the potential of the Eden Valley for Riesling cultivation, producers moved their Riesling production from Barossa to this location in the 1960s and 70s. The schist soils and hilltop locations produced more steely, tart and age-worthy wines. One of the most notable vineyards, the Steingarten, today produces one of the most outstanding Australian Rieslings.
