Moss Wood Winery: A Long Overdue Visit

I have been drinking Moss Wood wines since the mid-1980s (yes, that dates me) but shockingly, have not visited the winery. Finally this gross omission was rectified by going to one of their private members’ appointments.

After a tour through the winery, we ended up in their “Museum” shed - the originally winery building where the back vintages are now stored - to sample the wines. The tasting did not disappoint.

Moss Wood 2024 Chardonnay

After several days of richly oaked Margaret River Chardonnay, this was a breath of fresh air. The oak was there but subtle, integrated and quietly holding the wine together. The initial sip had honey with brioche and dough notes. Further sips revealed flavours of clementine, yellow peach and orange zest. I loved this wine.

We also tried the 2025 Chardonnay straight from the barrel - still cloudy and only part the way through malolactic fermentation. It already tasted delicious - full of fresh orange and mandarin aromas with a slight bitterness on the back palate at the end of the finish. It was very like a Chablis from a warm site (Bougros). I cannot wait to see how it turns out in the bottle.

Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 98

Moss Wood 2023 Pinot Noir

I drank a lot of Moss Wood Pinot Noir in the 1980s. Tasting it again was a dream as I had been worried that it would not live up to my memories.

There was so much going on in the glass. This wine was redolent of eucalyptus, rhubarb, red cherry, dried raspberry, violet, fresh tarragon and fresh sage. You could taste the partial whole bunch ferment in the fruit brightness. The tannins were beautifully integrated and there was a slight astingency to this wine as well as the savouriness found in Pinot Noirs from Burgundy. This wine is for lovers of a lighter, elegant and refined style of Pinot Noir

Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 80

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

Made from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and equal portions of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the remaining 10%. With those varieties you would expect this to be a big wine. Instead it was a beautifully crafted medium-bodied wine and not in the typical Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon style.

Flavours of red plum, red currant, mulberry and fresh fig - brighter fruit than you would expect from a Cabernet Sauvignon - burst forth, followed by the taste of cigar box wrapped up with anise and star anise. The tannins were tamed, smooth and slightly sweet. The whole wine was beautifully balanced and integrated.

Rating: Bloody Delish Price: AUD 78

Moss Wood 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is known in the winery as “The Legend” and for good reason. Comprised of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon with touches of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

This was a medium-bodied wine with bright fruit and depth. It displayed notes of raspberry, red and black plum, bay leaf, sage, tomato and tomato leaf. The palate is very soft with silky tannins and was so balanced. Tomato essence lingered on the finish. This was an amazing wine and some bottles came home with me.

Rating: Outstanding Price: AUD 145