Pewsey Vale : 1961 Block Riesling 2024

Tasting Notes and Pairing Tips for the 1961 Block Riesling 2024 from Pewsey Vale

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a bright pale yellow hue with green highlights.

Nose
The bouquet reveals aromas of Australian citrus, tea tree blossom, and lemon myrtle. Notes of finger lime are enhanced by a minerality reminiscent of crushed quartz—the signature of the Eden Valley terroir.

Palate
On the palate, the wine stands out for its purity and intensity. The structure is taut and perfectly balanced, with a seamless, harmonious texture. Its crystalline minerality intertwines with well-preserved natural acidity, delivering a long, elegant finish. This Riesling shows a character that is both immediately expressive and well suited to aging.

Food Pairing

This 1961 Block Riesling 2024 is an ideal match for kingfish sashimi, finished with a lime and chili vinaigrette. It also pairs beautifully with vegetarian spring rolls and fresh Vietnamese herbs.

Serving and Cellaring

The 1961 Block Riesling 2024 can be enjoyed now, but also has excellent aging potential.

A Pure, Mineral-Driven Riesling from Eden Valley

The Estate

Founded in 1847 by Joseph Gilbert, Pewsey Vale is the very first vineyard established in the Eden Valley region of Southern Australia. Acquired in 1970 by S. Smith and Son and placed under the stewardship of the Hill-Smith family, the estate is now led by talented winemaker Louisa Rose. At elevations between 480 and 500 meters, Pewsey Vale grows Riesling exclusively on a single site, reminiscent of Burgundy’s famed Clos Vougeot. A pioneer in adopting Stelvin screw caps as early as 1977, the estate embodies the excellence of Australian Riesling.

The Vineyard

The 1961 Block Riesling 2024 comes from the historic block of the Pewsey Vale Vineyard, home to the estate’s oldest vines, planted 63 years ago. Located in Eden Valley, this site benefits from a north-facing amphitheater setting. Shallow, sandy soils with quartz and slate gravel give the wine its distinctive minerality.

The Vintage

The 2024 vintage began with a dry spell that encouraged rapid, early vine growth. Welcome rainfall in late spring and early autumn provided the necessary balance. The dry, mild summer, punctuated by cool nights, helped preserve the grapes’ aromas and natural acidity. Rapid berry ripening resulted in optimal balance and the classic flavor profile that characterizes Eden Valley Rieslings.

Winemaking and Aging

Harvesting was carried out by hand on February 29 and March 1, 2024. The winemaking for the 1961 Block Riesling 2024 favors a minimalist approach that respects the vineyard. The grapes are vinified with spontaneous fermentation by indigenous yeasts naturally present in the vineyard, with no oenological intervention. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. This Wine from Southern Australia is then aged for a few months on fine lees before being bottled and released, allowing texture and complexity to develop while preserving the purity of the fruit.

Grape Variety

This Australian white wine is 100% Riesling.