By John Rozentals.
Mudgee Winemaker of the Year and producer of Champion Wine of the Show, winemaker Jacob Stein (Robert Stein Wines), and Most Successful Exhibitor, Rob Black (Bunnamagoo Wines), at the 2018 Mudgee Wine Show presentation dinner.
For the second year running riesling has continued to make inroads on the red grape varieties that have traditionally the NSW Mudgee region’s wines.
At the recent 2018 Mudgee Wine Show, the Chairman of Judges Mike DeGaris named the Robert Stein 2016 Riesling as Champion Wine of the Show and awarded the accolade of Seguin Moreau Winemaker of the Year to Jacob Stein, the winemaker for Stein Wines and an unabashed fan of riesling.
Jacob also won the inaugural version of the same award last year.
Other significant award winners at the show were:
Most Outstanding Red Wine: Robert Oatley Vineyards 2017 Pocketwatch Shiraz.
Most Successful Exhibitor: Bunnamagoo Estate.
Most Outstanding White Wine: Robert Stein 2016 Riesling.
The Gil Wahlquist Perpetual Trophy For Best Organic/Biodynamic/Preservative-Free Wine: Lowe Wines 2009 Block 5 Shiraz.
The Dave Robertson Memorial Trophy for the Best Cabernet: Bunnamagoo Estate 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Robert Stein Memorial Trophy for the Best Shiraz: Robert Oatley Vineyards 2017 Pocketwatch Shiraz.
The Carlo Corino Trophy for the Best Red Wine not Shiraz or Cabernet: Bunnamagoo Estate 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.
WINE REVIEWS
Huntington Estate 2018 Semillon ($27): I’ve long had a soft spot for this grape variety in Mudgee and it’s easy, on tasting this dry white, to justify the love. It’s crisp, full flavored and moreish — everything you’d ask for of a dry white. I quaffed a bottle on its own but it would also go well with salads and simple fish dishes that aren’t overly heavily sauced.
Huntington Estate 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé ($25): This, to me, is the best use for pinot noir from what is essentially a warmish climate, but then I was completely wrong a few years ago about Mudgee riesling. Anyway, I like the wine’s dryness and I like its flavours. There should be much more of this style being made in Australia and much more of it being consumed over lunch, especially during summer.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Huntington Estate 2016 Tim Stevens Signature Shiraz ($100): This inaugural release of a new Huntington flagship represents, to me, what the area does best and what it should be known for — full-bodied dry reds of the highest quality. Tim bought the vineyard from Huntington’s founders, Bob and Wendy Roberts, and thankfully has resisted the temptation to alter a winning formula. It’s a ripper. Another glass please.
