Moss Wood 2003 Semillon
Wine Facts
| Harvested: | 10/3/2003 |
| Bottled: | 14/8/2003 |
| Released: | 15/10/2003 |
| Baume: | 12.90 |
| Alcohol: | 14.00% |
| Vintage Rating: | 9/10 |
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Tasting Notes
The wine has a medium straw colour, with green tints. On the nose it displays an interesting combination of primary Semillon fruit aromas, with complex notes from lees stirring. The fine to medium weight palate is fresh and crisp, with lively citrus fruit flavours supported by lifted acidity The flavours are quite long and then the wine finishes with soft tannin. The fruit characters are lemon, grapefruit and green apple combined with fig, and the complex notes are reminiscent of dough and toast, which give the impression the wine has been in oak, even though it hasn't.
Moss Wood 2024 Semillon – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
The 2024 Semillon was grown in one of the hottest, driest and earliest years in Margaret River’s history, and I expected the palate to clearly reflect that. However, as testament to the detailed viticulture at Moss Wood, the wine is certainly ripe, but t displays none of the breadth or…
Moss Wood 2024 Semillon – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
This vintage reminded the family of 1994/1995, though one suspects much has changed in the meantime. The fruit was whole bunch pressed to stainless steel for fermentation, before bottling. The colour here is a shining pale lemon. This is a slightly grassy style, as Margaret River Sem can sometimes be….
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.
Moss Wood 2023 Semillon – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
The 2023 Semillon hails from a gorgeous season in Margaret River. It was long, mild and dry; it never got too hot, and the gentle rains that occurred were few and far between and well timed. Generally, it was regarded as a stellar vintage. We are only just now…
Moss Wood 2024 Semillon – Fergal Gleeson, Great Wine Blog
Moss Wood Semillon 2024 has lime and lemongrass flavours with subtle texture and complexity. Flavoursome and fruit driven given the absence of oak in the winemaking. Moss Wood are one of the only winemakers in Margaret River making an age worthy style which they recommend can cellar for up to…
Moss Wood 2024 Semillon – Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
This is a slightly fuller style than previously. Perhaps a product of the warmer vintage or an indication of a somewhat new direction for the variety. Regardless, it retains the essential linear mouthfeel and intensity of lemon zest and citrus. A crisp zingy acid sustains the long finish—an immediately appealing…
WA Wine Review 2024
Ray Jordan “Moss Wood is a family-owned wine company and a pioneer of the Margaret River region. Planted in 1969, Moss Wood is an important founding estate of Margaret River. Clare and Keith Mugford, as viticulturalists, winemakers and proprietors, have been tending the vineyard and making wine at Moss Wood…
Moss Wood 2023 Semillon – Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Bright lime and lemon colours shine through the glass. Grapefruit, melon and chopped green herb aromatics. The palate has a tension and drive that instantly draws you in. Citrus fruit and hints of leafy greens add complexity whilst that driving acidity ensures it carries very long and crisp to the…
Moss Wood 2023 Semillon – Fergal Gleeson, Great Wine Blog
The Moss Wood 2023 Semillon leads with lemon and Granny Smith flavours. Dig a little deeper for fig and nectarine. It’s a riper and fuller bodied expression than Hunter releases. Still has that underlying chalk, dryness and acid line to keep everything tidy. Always highly pointed by wine critics but…
Moss Wood 2023 Semillon – Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Remains one of my favourite Moss Wood wines, and certainly one of my favourite semillons. And this one from the great ’23 vintage is right up there with anything. It seems a more pungent and intense semillon than previous years and probably a result of the vintage which produced such…
Vintage Notes
After a very good growing season, our only disappointment with this wine was the lack of volume, with yields in the "Old Block" down by 36%. Fortunately, this seems to have resulted in greater concentration in the finished product.
Production Notes
Production techniques were typical for the Semillon. The grapes were hand picked and delivered to the winery, where they were de-stemmed, chilled and pumped into the press. Free run juice and pressings were extracted, then combined and settled for 48 hours. After settling, the clear juice was racked and seeded with pure yeast culture. Once fermentation commenced, it was maintained at 18C and the lees were stirred once per day. The lees stirring continued for 6 weeks after fermentation finished and then the wine was fined, filtered and bottled in August 2003.
Cellaring Notes
It is a very attractive drink and most people will choose to consume it while it is still young and fresh. However, those who have the patience and the space to cellar the wine will be rewarded because it should age well in bottle for at least another 15 years.
In general the Semillon shows fresh, fruity and lively characters up to 3 years of age. It tends to go into a sleepy dull stage between the age 3 - 5 years. Between 5 - 6 years it should start to pick up rich, honey, toasty characters. These characters are usually at their peak between 10 - 15 years and will remain enjoyable until at least 20 years old.