Moss Wood
Moss Wood Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River, South West Australia, Western Australia, Australia
This was my last 2008. See several previous Delectable notes. Typically reliable Moss Wood Cabernet.
This was my last 2008. See several previous Delectable notes. Typically reliable Moss Wood Cabernet.
Dec 25th, 2024Generally one of the best Cabernets in Margaret River and therefore Australia. Very dark Ruby in colour. Cassis and blackberry, ripe and rich. I would never pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Where are the herbal notes? But still recognisable as a quality Cabernet. The 2009 Moss Wood was given a poor score of only 84 points by Huon Hooke who is one of Australia’s leading wine scribes. He said “over ripe fruit is the problem “. I have always rated Huon’s reviews and have been a long time subscriber to his website and always will be but I don’t believe he got this right. On 4th July 2012 he said “I can’t see this ageing well” and gave a drinking window of 2012 to 2018. Well tonight at 15 years of age it is drinking very well. James Halliday gave the wine 95 points.
Generally one of the best Cabernets in Margaret River and therefore Australia. Very dark Ruby in colour. Cassis and blackberry, ripe and rich. I would never pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Where are the herbal notes? But still recognisable as a quality Cabernet. The 2009 Moss Wood was given a poor score of only 84 points by Huon Hooke who is one of Australia’s leading wine scribes. He said “over ripe fruit is the problem “. I have always rated Huon’s reviews and have been a long time subscriber to his website and always will be but I don’t believe he got this right. On 4th July 2012 he said “I can’t see this ageing well” and gave a drinking window of 2012 to 2018. Well tonight at 15 years of age it is drinking very well. James Halliday gave the wine 95 points.
May 4th, 2024So much cassis, black currant and rich sweetness. Very atypical for a Margaret River Cabernet - this is more Barossa or McLaren Vale. Less herbaceous than is usual for Margaret River in this warm vintage. A rich medium to full bodied palate with excellent concentration and smooth persistent tannins. My 2nd of 6 and a vintage that will last well beyond 2025 as one well known expert predicted. Should have the next bottle in 2 to 3 years time. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon; 4% Petit Verdot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 1% Merlot.
So much cassis, black currant and rich sweetness. Very atypical for a Margaret River Cabernet - this is more Barossa or McLaren Vale. Less herbaceous than is usual for Margaret River in this warm vintage. A rich medium to full bodied palate with excellent concentration and smooth persistent tannins. My 2nd of 6 and a vintage that will last well beyond 2025 as one well known expert predicted. Should have the next bottle in 2 to 3 years time. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon; 4% Petit Verdot; 4% Cabernet Franc; 1% Merlot.
Mar 10th, 2024Very dark Ruby - almost black - opaque at 19 years. Herbal and minty with cassis and tobacco leaf. On the palate still tasting young. An exceptional vintage for Moss Wood. I bought a dozen on release and have 5 left which I will drink over the next 10+ years. A brilliant cross between the black fruits of SA Cabernet and the Herbaceousness of Margaret River Cabernet. In the end the latter wins out in this exceptional Cabernet. See previous 4 Delectable notes on this vintage.
Very dark Ruby - almost black - opaque at 19 years. Herbal and minty with cassis and tobacco leaf. On the palate still tasting young. An exceptional vintage for Moss Wood. I bought a dozen on release and have 5 left which I will drink over the next 10+ years. A brilliant cross between the black fruits of SA Cabernet and the Herbaceousness of Margaret River Cabernet. In the end the latter wins out in this exceptional Cabernet. See previous 4 Delectable notes on this vintage.
Jan 21st, 2024See previous notes on July 2018 and October 2021. This is maturity nicely. Keith Mugford, the owner and winemaker said on release “It will take at least 10 years to develop some bottle age characters and will probably reach its peak somewhere around 20 years old. However it should continue to be drinkable up to 30 years old, at least and especially for those bottles under screw cap.” (Which this was). Showing cassis, mulberry, cedar and a little tobacco. Mouth filling and delicious. Rich and sweet - could be described as a Shiraz lover’s Cabernet. Great persistence - smooth and slippery tannins. A very good vintage in Margaret River. I have 3 left - next one in late 2026 or 2027 when 20 years old. I also have a Magnum which should not be touched until at least 25 years of age.
See previous notes on July 2018 and October 2021. This is maturity nicely. Keith Mugford, the owner and winemaker said on release “It will take at least 10 years to develop some bottle age characters and will probably reach its peak somewhere around 20 years old. However it should continue to be drinkable up to 30 years old, at least and especially for those bottles under screw cap.” (Which this was). Showing cassis, mulberry, cedar and a little tobacco. Mouth filling and delicious. Rich and sweet - could be described as a Shiraz lover’s Cabernet. Great persistence - smooth and slippery tannins. A very good vintage in Margaret River. I have 3 left - next one in late 2026 or 2027 when 20 years old. I also have a Magnum which should not be touched until at least 25 years of age.
Dec 5th, 2023Bought a dozen on release in approximately 2003. Have 2 left after this one. Very dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. An initial note of barnyard reduction which blew off. Great density on the palate where the wine tastes young, fresh and full bodied. Strong cassis, black currant, brambles and blue fruits. Amazingly concentrated. Will live into the early 2030’s I believe. A Tour de Force. The previous bottle I had to this was January 2018.
Bought a dozen on release in approximately 2003. Have 2 left after this one. Very dark Ruby in colour - impenetrable. An initial note of barnyard reduction which blew off. Great density on the palate where the wine tastes young, fresh and full bodied. Strong cassis, black currant, brambles and blue fruits. Amazingly concentrated. Will live into the early 2030’s I believe. A Tour de Force. The previous bottle I had to this was January 2018.
May 15th, 2023A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Vintage rating 9/10. Ruby red in colour - somewhat translucent - not opaque. Herbal notes combining with savoury black fruits. Quite developed on the medium weight palate showing its age. Travelling well at 20 years but further cellaring will not improve the tasting experience which is outstanding right now - good pairing with a medium/rare T Bone for Sunday lunch and the Australian Open Tennis. Let’s go Alex de Minaur against the Djoker tonight!!
A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Vintage rating 9/10. Ruby red in colour - somewhat translucent - not opaque. Herbal notes combining with savoury black fruits. Quite developed on the medium weight palate showing its age. Travelling well at 20 years but further cellaring will not improve the tasting experience which is outstanding right now - good pairing with a medium/rare T Bone for Sunday lunch and the Australian Open Tennis. Let’s go Alex de Minaur against the Djoker tonight!!
Jan 22nd, 2023A whiff of oak initially. Minty, herbaceous, plum and mulberry. The assertive tannins in its youth are resolving but still 5 to 10 years in front of it in a cool cellar. Balanced, elegant yet medium plus bodied at the same time. The quintessential Margaret River Cabernet. Have been a long time fan of Moss Wood and in summary, over the years, not as herbal as usual with more cassis and black currant in this excellent vintage.
A whiff of oak initially. Minty, herbaceous, plum and mulberry. The assertive tannins in its youth are resolving but still 5 to 10 years in front of it in a cool cellar. Balanced, elegant yet medium plus bodied at the same time. The quintessential Margaret River Cabernet. Have been a long time fan of Moss Wood and in summary, over the years, not as herbal as usual with more cassis and black currant in this excellent vintage.
May 7th, 2022Dark Ruby red in colour. Nose of herbs and black currant. Palate is medium to full bodied - lush, concentrated with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon structure. Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage is a beautiful wine. Totally in balance and still early in its drinking window even though 14 years of age. One of Margaret River’s and Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignons.
Dark Ruby red in colour. Nose of herbs and black currant. Palate is medium to full bodied - lush, concentrated with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon structure. Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage is a beautiful wine. Totally in balance and still early in its drinking window even though 14 years of age. One of Margaret River’s and Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignons.
Oct 17th, 2021See previous notes for the 2008 from April and October 2020. Always one of Margaret River’s better Cabernets that I have been buying for decades. Consistent notes from 2020. Fresh for a 13 year old Cabernet.
See previous notes for the 2008 from April and October 2020. Always one of Margaret River’s better Cabernets that I have been buying for decades. Consistent notes from 2020. Fresh for a 13 year old Cabernet.
May 29th, 2021