Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2018 Merlot – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

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Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2018 Merlot – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Points: 94
Rating: Stars

There’s 5% Cabernet Franc in the mix, and a modest 15% new oak. New labels too, which are what you might call Margaret meets Bordeaux in style. I like them, as an aside.

Well, this is a good expression of Merlot, to be sure. Red and black fruits, coffee bean, a sort of honey/floral perfume, and a bit of tar. It’s medium-bodied, has some savoury tobacco and black olive character in with red berries and plum, tannins is fine and powdery, dense and perfectly ripe, some cedar and subtle mint and seaweed flavour comes through on a long finish. Lovely balance. All just so. Svelte. Polished. Really good.