Knock on Wood – Ray Jordan – West Weekend Magazine, April 2016

The 40th anniversary rendering of Moss Wood’s first Margaret River vintage is one of the best.

Moss Wood’s Keith Mugford knows a thing or two about making cabernet sauvignon. Initially as assistant to founder Bill Pannell and then on his own after he and wife Clare bought the place, he has been involved in some of the greatest cabernets to come from Margaret River. The 2013 is the 40th anniversary of Moss Wood’s first vintage and it is one of the best. I have tasted just about every Moss Wood cabernet, including retrospectives of the earliest and have no hesitation in putting the 2013 in the top half dozen. It is quintessentially Moss Wood: beautiful perfumes, not too big, elegant, seductive and so bright, with exquisitely fine lines and palate length. Plus, there’s that essential sense of place and like the earliest of these wines, it has the potential to age for many years.

Moss Wood 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Continues the outstanding recent run of vintages for Moss Wood. This is, without doubt, one of the very best in this long and distinguished line. For a wine renowned for its elegance, this is one of the most elegant of them all. Yet the palate has great power and intensity. Bright and brilliant red hues. Beautiful sweet, leafy fruit and silky, fine powdery tannins, all with perfectly weighted oak. Classic red berry and cassis.
98/100
Best drinking: 2020 to 2045.

Moss Wood 2014 Chardonnay

One of the purest expressions of fruit from any recent Moss Wood chardonnay. Has a lovely brioche and vanillin creaminess on the nose, with other savoury smoky characters overlaying the powerful fruit. A little peachy, toasty honey richness. The palate is complex and layered, with a very long finish. One of the best Moss Wood chardies in recent years.
96/100
Best drinking: Now to 2024.