Vintage summary for recent years at Moss Wood

2006
Very mild year, notable for lively zesty whites with very fine texture. The cool made it more challenging for the reds, with fruit ripeness being good rather than great. However, they are better than 2002, with minimal leafiness and pleasing tannin ripeness.

Despite the cool season, the Moss Wood wines are very pleasing, especially the merlot and better than we could have imagined for the reds.

2005
Whites are good, all ripened nicely and have generous fruit flavours.

Reds – This is a ‘cracker vintage’ says Keith. It always promised to be very good. At this stage, it looks to be hovering between outstanding and exceptional. The Cabernet is a rival for the 2001.

2004
Like 2005 but riper. Generous, “yummy” wines, for both whites and reds. The reds are notable for good ripeness of flavours and tannins and not dissimilar to 1994.

2003
Low yielding hence intense and concentrated wines. Great reds. It would have been great for the whites except for rain just before harvest: still it was pretty good.

2002
Similar to 2006 but amusingly, less ripe – a mild year with some of the best whites made at Moss Wood. The reds are ok with the Cabernet good but not great.