You know you are in for a treat, when you have an invitation to attend a “private wine Master Class. “At the recent AHA Expo 2016, proprietors and wine maker of Moss Wood wines Clare and Keith Mugford, hosted such a Master Class. Away from the hustle and bustle of the AHA Expo, I took my place in the dignified surrounds one of the small ballrooms at Crown ready to hear from Margaret Rivers Cabernet couple. Keith Mugford, has made wine at Moss Wood since 1979, with 2016 marking his 38th vintage, and for Clare her 32nd vintage. The couple are known for their production of world class Cabernet. Other wines that make up their range include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon, Botrytis Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Cabernet Merlot and Merlot.

Clare Mugford opened the Master Class by giving an overview of Moss Wood and its wine making philosophy. Keith Mugford then took to the stand to lead the invitees (retailers, on premise and wine media) through the 9 wines for tasting. He gave a detailed overview of each wine, from the vintage conditions, wine making techniques, (processing, fermenting, and bottle ageing, to clones used) and comparisons with Bordeaux and Burgundy (for character of the wine) with the Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Moss Wood Pinot Noir 2014, was given a good deal of attention from Keith Mugford. He noted that Pinot Noir producers a range of wines and that it was a very sensitive grape variety – saying that, “you need to start with an open mind, as you never know what you will find in a glass.” I found this particular Pinot Noir to be a beautiful and bright expression of the variety.

When it came to the current release of Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Mugford reflected on some past vintages and the style of Cabernets that they had produced. The first thing he noted about this Cabernet was that the techniques used to make this wine, were similar to the techniques used 40 years ago and that Cabernets of 1973, 1974 ( which he had opened and shared with his family) were in really good condition. This is a testament to the wine making and cellaring potential of the Cabernets being produced at Moss Wood. Of recent vintages he shared that 2009 produced Cabernets of complexity , while the 2013 vintage was a cool year which produced very good Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 he went onto say, that, it was a very aromatic wine of blue fruits, with intense flavours and good concentrated tannins, without puckering. It is a wine that will cellar for up to 40 years.

So it was, wine after wine, Keith Mugford gave a deep insight into each of the wines. An insight that gave an “intimate” look at the wines, the wine making and the sheer commitment to producing the best quality wines from Moss Wood. A commitment that Clare and Keith Mugford have to this day, since becoming the owners of Moss Wood – a significant founding winery of Margaret River.

To complete the magical suite of wines on tasting, was the sweet and luscious Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc Semillon NV. A taste of citrus, orange blossom, touch of honey and marmalade. Sunshine in a bottle. The wine showed that magic and mastery that comes through with the wines that are produced at Moss Wood. Clare Mugford summed it up when she said, ”we are very lucky to do what we do, we love what we do and we have fun making great wine.”

Let the magic of Moss Wood continue.