Medium-light, bright yellow colour with a lovely toasty, savoury bouquet that suggests several years of bottle-age. Paraffin wax/kerosene as well. The wine is very dry and intense in the mouth with penetrative power and precision, the flavours of dried-flowers, dried herbs and multiple savoury influences positively singing throughout a long carry. The finish is bone-dry and firm with a trace of grip/bitterness that enhances its structure and length. (10 Years Old Museum Reserve)

When I first moved to the Barossa, I always used to take a wrong turn when I took the 'shortcut' from the valley floor to my home in Eden Valley. My journey always started to go pear-shaped not long after the beautiful Pewsey Vale vineyard. I've done a bit of swearing up in those hills, and I swear that these Contours museum releases are some of my favourite rieslings. Light straw in the glass with mesmerising aromas of dried hay, Bickford's lime cordial, almond blossom, freshly baked brioche, cultured butter, crushed quartz, pecans and the lightest whiff of marzipan. It takes off on the palate endlessly complex, super long and sustained with a porcelain acidity providing focus and cadence. I swear there is also a note that reminds me of my father's workshop, where he seasoned wood when I was a kid. I've always planned on writing an article on the 'neurochemistry of nostalgia' about such memories. I must do that. Thanks for the reminder Contours, you beautiful little wine. An absolute belter of a museum release.

This 2013 aged Riesling shows all you would expect with toasty, mandarin skin aromas with a nice line of vibrant lime juice keeping the package vibrant. The palate is a little more developed, a creamy, toasty package with perky acidity before a solid finish. At peak.

Honestly, this isn’t even the best vintage, but the Pewsey Vale Contours Museum Release Riesling 2013 is a wine to admire. Now toasty and quite progressed, with some warm year, big wine tendencies, some TDN, and a rounder, even oily edge to the brisk, lime fruit. I don’t think it’s going to get better. What power, though. It’s a Riesling you can chew, with a sourness and a firm handshake to finish that marks this as a Riesling of grandiosity.