Reviews Archives - Moss Wood

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

A wine which is near completely Cabernet Sauvignon here, with 90% of the blend that variety, the remaining 10% is split evenly between Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. A wine which provides more compelling evidence as to how good the 2022 vintage was. Maturation was in 228-litre French barrels, 19% new, for 26 months. A deep maroon hue here, the nose is all Cabernet and friends – dried herbs, black fruits, truffles, cassis, blackcurrants, violets, graphite, beef stock and tobacco leaves. A seamless and seductive texture, with impressive length and immaculate balance, the wine finishes with firm but sleek tannins – a fine line to walk but they have managed it here with freshness and drive. Ten years, more likely twenty, will see this wine continue to improve. A superb Marg River Cab blend.

94 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2022 Pinot Noir – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

Moss Wood Pinot Noir bottle image with atmospheric background.

20% of the fruit went into fermentation as whole bunches, adding in the search for texture and complexity. Maturation was for a year and a half in French oak barrels, 18% new. A pale crimson hue, the nose exhibits a slightly savoury/near rustic style with red fruits, warm earth, aniseed, undergrowth, mushrooms, raspberries and cherries. The savouriness might prove divisive – some love that style but others not so much. If you do, this will be a Pinot for you. Well balanced with good focus and medium length, the finish is completed by appealingly silky tannins. A very fine West Aussie Pinot which will drink very well over the next five to eight years.

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2022 Merlot – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

I suspect this wine holds a Moss Wood record for the shortest vintage weather report they have ever issued – “Mother Nature was in a very benign frame of mind”. Of course, they didn’t leave it at that, but it is a great start. In addition to the Merlot, 7% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% of Cabernet Franc were also included. The wine spent 26 months maturing in 228-litre French barrels, 21% of them new. A deep red/garnet hue, this is still very youthful and if opened in the next couple of years, would very much benefit from a decant, or time in the glass. The nose gives us notes of dried herbs and fruitcake, with plums, black fruits, chocolate, bay leaves and spices. There is plenty of power here, a good forceful style with firm tannins and a lengthy finish. Enjoy for at least the next five to eight years, most likely considerably longer.

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2022 Merlot – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

This serious Merlot from 2022 is again putting Moss Wood forward as one of the country’s top performers with this variety. It opens with a powerful and tightly focussed core of blackberry and cedar with touches of crushed leaves, and a strong savoury feel. Impressive intensity and fruit drive takes it up a notch, with bright acidity and muscular tannins holding firm. Impeccable and significant tannins with a supremely long finish mark this as one of the greats.

95 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2023 Amy’s – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

The 2023 Amy’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot is highly approachable at this young age with enveloping aromas of blackcurrant and gravel with a strong dark earth component. Excellent upfront impact with a seamless core of dark berry fruits, primed with acidity and underpinned by fine, pliable tannins. A firm drying finish supports good longevity.

92 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2024 Semillon – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

A more generously proportioned Moss Wood Semillon with ample nectarine and melon fruit with strong nut kernel accents. Quite textural with creamy acidity that sits well within the overall package, with some more crushed nutty tones to finish. Ready to enjoy now.

91 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2023 Chardonnay – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

A more refined edition of Moss Wood Chardonnay bursting with sherbet, melon, and citrus tones that are powerful, taut and well integrated with toasty French oak. Bone dry and embryonic, it is highly reserved with a chalky texture while just starting to build nutty, peanut brittle tones. Super young and tightly wound, this is a standout Moss Wood Chardonnay.

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

This compact 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers a youthful, measured expression of cassis, bay leaf and cedar with a fine French oak accompaniment. Stil quit tight in a young claret style, yet holding its line very well for an extended, structural finish thanks to mouthcoating tannins. Shy right now and needs time to build.

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2022 Pinot Noir – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

This charming 2022 Margaret River Pinot Noir is expressive and radiates with cherry pit and rolling tobacco lined with spicy undertones and a generous but well integrated serve of French oak. It then takes a wild turn, with engaging gamey, earthy complexity taking charge with a supple texture and a nice twist of acidity. Good allround complexity although needs a little time to build texture.

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon leads with spiced maple and star anise, pomegranate molasses and blood plum. It is inky without being dense or heavy and uncoils out through a long and undulating finish. There are notes of red toffee apple and coffee beans, raspberry pip and nori, bay leaf and saltbush. A wonderful wine, it’s only just starting to enter its next phase of evolution. It’s astoundingly graceful and likely in need of a decant. Super. There’s so much going on here. It is sapid and sanguine and speaks of the red gravel and ironstone that it was grown in. We know from older vintages of this wine that it ages for 40 years with ease, and taking into account that those earlier wines were made from younger vine fruit, the drinking window is surely extended now. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

97 Points

Rating: Stars