“And I feel
Like I’ve been here before
Feel
Like I’ve been here before
And you know
It makes me wonder
What’s going on under the ground” – Deja Vu: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
My tasting notes for Pewsey Vale Rieslings seem to read pretty much the same if the vintage was a good one. Is that terroir or am I just a lazy writer?
Lime, talc/chalk, jasmine and herbs. Relatively austere on the nose but juicer on the palate with a touch of Bickford’s lime cordial. Perhaps a little tighter than the 2012 at the same age. Melon rind and a dry mineral and quinine finish. Past experience and current evidence suggest a bright future. Pewsey, you’ve done it again. 94
Region: Eden Valley
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $21.99
Tasted: July 2013
2012 was “the vintage to buy Riesling”, so I did. Lots and lots; by the case. My wife complained. Please tell me 2013 isn’t the same again… The problem is: it’s just such good value, I can’t resist…but I’ll end up with a cellar full at ths rate!
Early thoughts…how do you think these 2013′s stack up against the ’12′s?
simon1980
That describes a Pewsey Riesling perfectly. Great wines. Cheap, great wines.
Jesse – thank you. As the initiated know, you will almost never pay full RRP for this…and even if you do then it’s still good value IMHO.
Simon – I’m holding off any definitive statements regarding the comparitive nature and quality of the 2012 & 2013 vintages for Clare and Eden Valley Rieslings until I’ve tasted more; ie Pikes, Grosset, O’Leary Walker, Tim Adams, Henschke etc. Still, so far, and on far too limited amount of wines used as a sample population, I think the quality has been up there with 2012 – perhaps a little more structure and a touch less obvious fruit generosity…ie I think they may need a little more time than the 2012s to appeal to many people. But I honestly think that’s coming from a very limited perspective to date. Regardless, I’ve already tasted and bought quite a few 2013s for now and for the cellar myself.
A few 2013s so far, and most of the reliable names are looking fantastic.
Simon, buy 2013s as well, even if you only snaffle some 4-6 btl lots rather than dozens. At least with Riesling, you aren’t leaking the same amount of coin you would for just about any other variety in a banner vintage.
And yes, this 2013 Pewsey Vale is ridiculous at generally under $20 almost everywhere.
I confess to drinking a few bottles on release, and rating it quite highly, and then never bothering to cellar any. Not once! Perhaps it just doesn’t press the right buttons for me when there are so many options out there. We’re spoiled for choice. I do buy the Contours though and cellar it further. Points aside, think I often prefer Heggies to Pewsey Vale.
2013 looking really good for Clare – not tried an Eden yet.
MichaelC
It’s interesting Michael – I cellar Pewsey but not Pewsey Contours and prefer Pewsey to Heggies…but I think those decisions are largely made on a less than rational basis
Exactly Jeremy! I think I like the more intense pithy, chalky textural grapefruitiness of Heggies. It’s a more rugged wine.
MC
I’ve seen at least 25 different vintages of the standard Pewsey Vale as an aged Riesling, going back to the early to mid 70s. Many as 5-10 year old wines. Some as 20-30 year old wines. And a few in between. It is consistently astounding, and whilst I think the Heggies is more premium positioned, I think the better vineyard that is the Pewsey Vale vineyard shines through eventually more often than not.
In terms of a superbly reliable age-worthy Australian bargain, it is to Riesling what Wynns Black Label is to Cabernet.
Sounds good. I’ll nip off any buy a bottle I think!
That was my chosen technique. PR at Yalumba/RHS are swift but not as swift as me
Yes. I’ll buy a bottle of 13 Petaluma at the same time.
FWP will have one to you by 2023…