Planted in 1969, Moss Wood is an important, founding estate of the Margaret River wine region, located in the northern sub–region of Wilyabrup, Western Australia. Clare & Keith Mugford, as winemakers, viticulturalists & proprietors, have been making wine & tending the vineyard at Moss Wood since 1984 & 1979, respectively. Their exacting viticulture ensures the production of grapes of excellent quality & they have created a stable of fine wines distinguished by their consistency over each vintage & their ability to age superbly. Being part of the Langton’s ‘Exceptional’ ranking since 1991 and other internationally respected wine awards, the couple has also proven that other Moss Wood wines, like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Semillons, showcase exceptional quality and longevity.
Deep, brick red hue; bright condition. On the nose dark and red berry aromas of blueberry, blackberry and redcurrant, plus some dark jube and musk, a sure indicator of the presence of Petit Verdot. The complex background is all about Cabernet Sauvignon, with lots of tar, dark chocolate and toasty oak. PALATE: There is a concentration of all features which make this a classic, low-crop Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, which in many ways, takes us all the way back to 1981. A full-bodied wine, there are generous blueberry and blackberry flavours, as well as dark, chocolate, coffee and licorice that fill the mid-palate. They sit over a structure of fresh acidity and concentrated tannin, making the wine bright, long and, for Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, quite taut.
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot. 17% new oak. Red and black fruit, something of an aniseed pastille thing here too, some floral notes, tobacco, cedar, and baking spice. It’s medium-bodied, kind of svelte and evenly weighted, just a little toasty oak, with some black olive and nori savoury elements. the tannin is quiet, and kind of latent, but swish it about in your mouth a bit, and their quality is revealed, especially on the long finish. I think this is going to be a beautiful wine with requisite bottle age, and is likely to rate (even) higher in time. - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, 95+ Points
