Cabernet may well be the ‘signature dish’ at Moss Wood but Chardonnay is hot on its heels. Moss Wood 2017 was voted Australia’s best Chardonnay by the Wine Companion and points have been consistently high across recent vintages. Clare Mugford (co-owner with Keith) says that they’ve worked hard on this variety. The 2019 Chardonnay is exemplary. From a biblically difficult vintage, a beautiful wine has emerged. Frost destroyed 90% of two blocks, then there was rain and unseasonal cold, finally, silvereye birds attacked the fruit (Winemaking Is seldom a doddle!) Moss Wood make a voluptuous Chardonnay. You could run the descriptors for a paragraph- nectarine, apricot, grapefruit, honey, toast, match stick, chalk come most immediately to mind. If you like your Chardonnay rich and complex this is for you… once again this is one of Australia’s finest.

Published Nov 1st, 2020