A wine of stunning presence, the engaging bouquet shows dark berry, thyme, star anise, rich floral and cedar characters. The palate is both concentrated and seamless with outstanding weight and depth, wonderfully framed by finely infused chalky tannins. This is symphonic with grace and style, promising to evolve magnificently. At its best: 2029 to 2046.
April, 2024.
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Restrained and poised, the inviting bouquet shows white flesh stone fruit, lemon pith, roasted cashew and oatmeal nuances, followed by a brilliantly focused palate delivering creamy texture with firm acidity, making it refined and splendidly structured at the same time. Beautifully flowing to an impressively long, sophisticated finish. At its best: 2026 to 2038.
April, 2024
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Complex and engaging, the bouquet shows ripe peach, lemon peel, nougat and subtle pastry aromas, leading to a splendidly weighted palate offering saline texture combined with bright acidity. Superbly structured with alluring flavours, finishing wonderfully long and vibrant. A blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc & 6% Semillon. At its best: 2026 to 2036.
April, 2024.
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The Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon is always one of Margaret River’s best and this latest release is no exception. From the sub-region of Wilyabrup, the blend is 95% Cabernet, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Not the easiest vintage in the region, the team overcame any and all obstacles. Maturation was in 228 litre French oak barrels, 16% of which were new.
Deep garnet, this is an immaculate and classic Margaret River Cabernet. Aromas weave through florals, cassis, soy, aniseed, blackfruits, beefstock and graphite. An elegant style, there is good energy here, with serious focus and an immaculate balance, as well as a lovely lingering finish. The palate sees more chocolate and cherry notes emerging. Silky tannins and very good length. Drink over the next ten to twenty years.
June, 2024
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This is the third release of the Ribbon Vale Chardonnay, which hails from Wilyabrup, though a cooler location than the MW Chardonnay. Fermentation and maturation was in French oak barriques, 23% new.
This is a fine Margaret River Chardonnay. The nose exhibits notes of peaches, apricots and some tropical characters. Hints of mango and a touch of cashew. There is good intensity on the palate and excellent length. Fine balance, good concentration and a persistent finish. Will provide pleasure over the next six to ten years.
June, 2024
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This is a wine which takes us into a different realm of Sauvignon Blanc, with whole bunch pressing, fermentation in stainless steel tanks before transfer to oak. 225 litre French oak barriques, 7% new, with nine months maturation.
The nose offers florals and seabreeze notes, a real oystershell character to be found here. A minerally backing with notes of white peaches and grapefruits, there is a seductive and yet slightly crunchy texture with very good length. Good complexity here. Fine balance and some real energy right through the length of the wine. A good future, at least four to six years.
June, 2024
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The plan was to revamp how they made Sauvignon Blanc. They had an eye on the great whites of the Loire Valley as a template.
Well 2023 Elsa is their best yet. Handpicked and sorted, the grapes get the luxury treatment in the vineyard and winery.
Elsa ’23 is disciplined and tought and emphasises zest rather than ripe fruit salad flavours.
Moss Wood don’t make skinny wines. Elsa has richness and broadness courtesy of the picking dates as well as oak ageing and fermentation.
The combination of palate weight, complexity and length tells me they’ve got it just right.
April, 2024
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This young, vibrant 2023 Chardonnay Ribbon Vale offers piercing aromas of grapefruit, nectarine and preserved lemon wrapped in prominent but well-balanced oak. Tangy tutti-frutti flavors follow with impressive focus before nutty barrel fermentation and maturation build through to the finish. It’s too young to drink right now, but it has good potential.
May, 2024
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The finely tuned 2023 White Blend Elsa Ribbon Vale is generously proportioned and youthful as it radiates grapefruit and lemon pith with a touch of exotic green mango and green herbs, all well integrated with French oak. Expressive and creamy textured oak flavors add backbone to what is a sophisticated array of flavors that fill out before delivering a lengthy finish. This is the best release yet under this label.
May, 2024
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This engaging 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon appeals with its subtlety rather than raw power. Dried herbs, clay and blackcurrant are finely intertwined with French oak. Firm and mid-weight with a strong core, the Wilyabrup gravels emerge in flavor and texture to drive a strong, tension-filled finish. There’s a lovely overall flow and energy. The finish is lovely.
May, 2024
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