Ruby and purple with a slightly different nose to what I remember from the Moss Wood Cabernet’s of past vintages. There’s a fig leafiness in there, some musky florals, white pepper, baked blueberry and hints of olive that sit alongside blackberry, creme de cassis, fern, tobacco, cedar, tar and smoky charred oak.

In the mouth it’s structured, tightly layered and intense in flavour, rushing with rich red, blue and black berries, spiced with clove, cinnamon, anise and hints of green olive. Good concentration and plenty of fruit, with acidity that’s riding a little high at the moment and needs time to settle. Closely knit feathery tannins hold firm and bring serious texture and tension across the arc of the palate and don’t let go. Impressive! It fades slowly and evenly over a long and dry tail that hums with berries and spice.

This release has been built for the long haul and will reward those with patience.

April 2023