Robert Stein 2020 White Label Riesling
You won’t find many 2020 Mudgee wines on shelves. Unfortunately if you’re not aware, there were terrible bushfires around Australia over the 2019-20 summer.
In fact many winemakers did not produce any wine at all and it was most probably one of, if not the most, challenging vintages in the region’s wine growing history.
Robert Stein Wines (who kindly sent me this sample bottle – thank you!) are counting their lucky stars, as thanks to the location of their vineyards they were able to successfully pick and produce a number of red and white wines from the 2020 vintage. The Stein vineyards are located around 90km from where the fires were and they are at a 600 metre elevation approximately.
This 2020 Robert Stein ‘White Label’ Riesling ($35/bottle) is a shining beacon for the winery. Riesling is their flagship variety and being able to produce a top quality Riesling without smoke taint had the small family business truly elated. As it meant they could keep on their staff despite the fires and pandemic in 2020.
In fact Robert Stein Wines history traces back to 1838 when the Macarthur family brought Johann Stein to Australia with the country’s first cuttings of Rhine Riesling. And speaking from all the Riesling lovers here in Australia, we are truly thankful for that!
We found this 2020 Mudgee Riesling a pale straw colour in the glass with a pretty golden shimmer to it. Lemon & lime plus savoury herbs and crunchy green apple aromas rise from the glass. In the mouth it has a nice flavoursome texture with those citrus and orchard fruits coming through. It’s well rounded and has a nice length to the finish. A classy Riesling which we enjoyed with coconut & chilli fish tacos.
This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.
All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!