JACOB STEIN, ROBERT STEIN WINES
“Vintage 2023 in Mudgee is one to remember and is very rewarding after numerous tough vintages. This is exactly what we wished for and are very happy with the quality in the winery.”
Mudgee experienced another high rainfall and cool Spring, leading to heavy spray and labour regimes in the vineyard. Disease pressure was high, however we had just enough time in between rain events to act and kept mildew to minimal levels.
Fortunately, from early December we saw a change to the weather conditions and enjoyed beautiful dry and warm conditions which created ideal ripening conditions right through Summer into Autumn.
The harvest period saw ideal conditions, with little to no rain, mild weather and slow ripening, creating fruit with perfect concentration and ripeness, albeit later than normal.
Harvest started four weeks later than normal, however this did not have any negative affect, and the slower ripening periods allowed plenty of time to make good harvest decisions.
“Quality is unbelievably good, we are very lucky in Mudgee. Most vignerons are saying it is the best we have seen in recent memory, and I certainly agree that across the board it is the best I have seen,” says Robert Stein winemaker Jacob Stein.
“All whites show excellent purity of fruit, with beautiful natural acidity, with Chardonnay and Riesling looking to be amongst our best quality ever.
“Red varieties are also exceptional, with earlier varieties including Shiraz showing excellent colour, concentration and perfect tannin profiles. Luckily once earlier reds were harvested, the cooler change with rain rolled in, with the hardier varieties loving the drink and enjoying the cool change.
“Cabernet Sauvignon is excellent, and the Italians, especially Montepulciano is very exciting. We have never seen colour like this!”