Reviews Archives - Moss Wood

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was excited about tasting these Moss Wood 2023 releases today. The season in Margaret River was sensational—truly. It was mild and long, with rain at all the right times. There was a spot of rain about at the end of the season that, depending on the vineyard location, could have caused issues for some later-ripening red vineyards; however, it was mostly categorically excellent, as most of the resulting wines have tended to be. Here, the 2023 Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is delicate, red-fruited and spicy, with long, wrapping tannins and savory spices that feather the edges. This is elegant and fresh, with raspberry, redcurrant, pomegranate, some tapenade and tobacco. It’s a gorgeous wine. I like the fact that the oak feels stable and in the background of the fruit; it arrives completely unimpeded and finishes in much the same way. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink date: 2026 – 2038

June 2026

96 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and layered, with a long finish. The tannins are firm, abundant and tightly knit, and they wrap around a core of dark fruit. As the wine sits in the glass longer, the tannins begin to soften and gain suppleness, allowing the fruit and other elements to harmonize further. As this happens, the beauty of the vintage begins to shine through, revealing freshness, energy, balance and drive in equal measure. This is a superb wine, and given all the elements here, it will age wonderfully too. It isn’t dense or brooding like some of the other vintages have been; this has detail, life and energy. It is really excellent. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink date: 2026-2056.

June 2026

97 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2025 Elsa – Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review

Sweet scents of honey and vanilla mix with lemon meringue pie and roasted fennel on the nose. A luxurious swirl of vanilla, nutmeg and lemon tart (with a dollop of cream) combine on the palate, with subtle savoury notes of leather and fennel joining in too. Its viscous texture tails off into pleasing quince-like tannins that add chew and bite to the finish. This oaked blend is all class. It’s drinking nicely now but will also age.

22 May 2026

95 Points

Rating: 5 Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Merlot – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Merlot Creative Image

Deep, bright red-purple colour; cedary oak, briar and pencil-shavings aromas overlie tobacco varietal cues, while the palate is medium-full bodied and well-balanced, with harmonious supple tannins and lovely early drinking qualities and … ageing potential. Oak is quite evident but it’s a very smart merlot

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Deep, bright purple-red colour; smoked meats and mulberry, a hint of humus on the nose. Very bright and lively on the palate, fresh and zesty with crisp acid/tannin structure and lots of appeal. Will become softer with age but right now its bouncy liveliness would go well with food. 2026–2038

93 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Merlot – Winsor Dobbin, Wine of the Week

Many merlots in Australia are made in a soft and simple style; as easy quaffers. Not so his one from the cabernet masters at Moss Wood in Margaret River. It is full of verve and texturally complex, a nod to the great merlot-led wines of Bordeaux’s right bank. More structured than fleshy, this one is firm and impressively complex with some bright acidity allied to serious tannins, aided and abetted by time in French barriques. We paired this with roast lamb en croute and were well rewarded.

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Deep purple-red colour, smoky, broken-rock, pencil-shavings aromas and the palate is full-bodied and densely textured with deep flavour and length. Traces of smoked meats. A firm and upright cabernet with masses of chewy but supple tannins that endure long on the follow-through. A high-potential cabernet that has everything ahead of it. Cellaring recommended. 2027–2041

95 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2025 Elsa – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

The 2025 Elsa Sauvignon Blanc Semillon delivers a flamboyant upfront mix of guava, hay, lemon rind and lanolin aromas wrapped up in a tight blanket of spicy oak. Firm edged acidity provides impact before this wine fleshes out into a full-bodied and expressive package. Lots to like and enjoy over the short to medium term. Drink by: 2026-2030

April, 2026

91 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2025 Chardonnay – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

The 2025 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay is a delight showing an energetic core of seamless pear and apple aromas with an exotic twist. Creamy textured and full flavoured with some savoury nutty tones and beautifully integrated oak, this wine is delicious and here for a good time, not a long time. Drink by: 2030-2060

April, 2026

92 Points

Rating: Stars

Moss Wood 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is extraordinary. Tasted first from barrel, it was a picture of restrained power and nothing has changed with seamless and perfectly composed aromas of cassis and red currant with a gentle lining of dried herb. This is a wine of elegance, pinpoint balance and precision rather than brutish power with firm yet fine tannins beautifully integrated to support a velveteen finish of astounding length. The purity and energy remains unchanged on day 2 which marks this as an Australian classic in the making. Get your hands on it, any way you can. Drink by: 2026-2034

98 Points

Rating: Stars