The overlooked aged Riesling joy of Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2015

Mature Australian Riesling is an underestimated joy. We should all drink more of the stuff. Helpfully, Pewsey Vale releases a ten-year-old version of the Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling that makes this a reality.

And it’s just $46.

The Contours comes off old vines on the counter-planted Pewse Vale Vineyard. It’s not a single block wine (like the 1961 Block Riesling), but more about an expression of the grapes is going to make the most ageworthy wines (especially given The Contours is strictly released with some maturity).

This 2015 release has a bit of a warm year toasty flourish to it, though you’d not call this old. It’s still limey, with a core of just-right acidity driving the expansive palate, the lime/toast intersection at an ideal point. What marks the quality is the different shades – it’s a little tart and stony on one sip, more gently nutty on another. A joy to drink, if a more mature version of this wine.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: nowish
• Score (out of 20): 18.5
• Score (out of 100): 94
• Alcohol %: 12.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 46
• Winery website: https://www.pewseyvale.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: yes yes.