2021 Robert Stein Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mudgee

Blackberry Soothers, wine gums and concentrated Ribena/cassis. Blackberry spur, potting soil and volcanic ash. A thread of raspberry and thyme. The wine hits the centre of the palate with a purity of fruit and a sense of being very comfortable in its skin. Grape tannins are divine in this wine, it is mouth-watering in its pull from the back palate to the front. Christmastime cherries and grated nutmeg. Oak shadows the fruit in cedar and pine cones. This is a sturdy, affable drink. A real throwback to why cabernet is great in the region.

96 points Special Value Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Robert Stein Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Mudgee is a bold, deeply structured red that captures the classic power and poise of Cabernet grown in this elevated, sunlit region. Crafted by Jacob Stein, a winemaker celebrated for bringing finesse and clarity to Mudgee’s traditional strengths, this Reserve Cabernet is a serious, age worthy wine offering incredible intensity, regional authenticity, and modern polish.

The fruit comes from mature, low yielding vines planted on gravelly clay loam soils sitting above ancient limestone deposits. At around 500 metres elevation, the vineyard benefits from warm days and cool nights that allow Cabernet to develop deep flavours while preserving its crucial natural acidity. This balance of ripeness and structure is key to the wine’s classic varietal expression.

Winemaking is all about precision and respect for the fruit. The grapes are hand harvested, fermented in small open vats, and gently plunged to extract colour and fine tannins. After fermentation, the wine is matured in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels for around 18 months, building complexity, spice, and polish without overwhelming the Cabernet’s distinctive blackcurrant and herbal character.

In the glass, Robert Stein Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of cassis, dark plum, tobacco leaf, cedar, and dried herbs. The palate is full bodied and firm yet refined, with black fruits, graphite, and a savoury backbone of earth and spice. The tannins are polished but present, framing a long, focused finish that speaks clearly of both variety and region.

Perfect with aged cheddar, roast beef, or hearty mushroom dishes, this is a Cabernet built for the long haul yet approachable enough to enjoy now with decanting. A true statement of what Mudgee Cabernet can achieve when farmed and crafted with care.