Times like this make us so happy that tastings are back in full swing; winemaker Tristan Mugford from the beautiful Moss Wood estate in Margaret River will be joining us this Saturday (8th October) for our instore tasting from 12pm to 2pm!
This remains one of our favourite lineups to try each year, and its not hard to see why - the sheer quality and consistency of Moss Wood's work speaks for itself year in, year out. These are wines of effortless enjoyment and flavour, but as always, open themselves up to multiple years in the cellar, particularly with the brilliant 2019 Cabernet and new 2019 Pinot Noir!
We're so excited for you all to try these on Saturday - we hope you can come and join us!
2021 Amy's Cabernet Merlot - $35 on special ; $39 per bottle
// Cabernet Sauvignon 68% , Merlot 20% , Malbec 7% , Petit Verdot 5%
"The nose is a lifted expression of all of the varieties in the blend. The Merlot contributes rich blackcurrant notes while Malbec brings in watermelon aromas. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates with heaped dollops of blueberry and red currants. As the wine begins to relax in the glass, the textural charry and chocolatey notes begin to materialize. Carrying over from the nose the blueberries and red currants make their presence felt. The firm tannin structure is accented by the generosity of a full body mid-palate. The acidity has a gentle linearity which pairs nicely with texture derived from the in French Oak. The youthful vibrancy and liveliness of the fruit weight make this wine very appealing and should be enjoyed young." - Winemaker Notes
2018 Ribbon Vale Merlot - $62 on special ; $69 per bottle
"Distinctly aromatic, with the full range of Merlot’s red and black fruits. Lots of blackberry, blueberry, plum and cherry, brightened by musk stick confectionery fragrance. Underneath lie earthy complexity of tarry notes, plus toasty oak and leather. The theme of generous dark fruit follows through on the palate, where the front and middle are immediately filled with blackcurrant, mulberry and licorice. This sits over a full body and typically firm Merlot tannin structure but the combination is supple and well balanced; something we don’t often see in the young Ribbon Vale Merlots. The finish shows some tarriness and there is also some toasty oak evident." - Winemaker Notes
2021 Ribbon Vale 'Elsa' Sauvignon Blanc - $63 on special ; $72 per bottle
"Perfumed with lifted, floral scents of lychees, limes, frangipani and lavender combined with guava lemon curd and caramel and a background of toasty oak notes. This is fresh and crisp with medium to full body and lifted acidity, giving a Chablis-like flintiness; there are generous lime, lychee, honey dew melon, caramel and preserved lemon flavours filling the mid palate, making the wine relatively round and generous and there is a touch of oak and tannin on the finish.structure and there is good length, with a finish of caramel, cream cheese, earthy and toasty notes." - Winemaker Notes
2019 Pinot Noir - $64 on special ; $74 per bottle (available to order at tasting/via email!)
"Lifted, almost joyful aromas of strawberry jam, cherries and musk sticks, combined with poplar sap, cloves, mocha, earth and mushroom and light oak background. The bright fruit note theme continues with strawberry-like red fruits, plus plums, cherries and rhubarb filling the full length of the palate. There is medium body, so the mouthfeel is generous and then the finish is a balanced combination of toasty oak and tannin. Given the ripe stature and power of the vintage described above, this will be a long-lived Pinot Noir. Sure, it has a lovely and approachable generosity now but over the next 20 years it will build into a really complex wine. For those who have the cellar space and the patience, it will definitely be worth the wait." - Winemaker Notes
2020 Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon - $64 on special ; $74 per bottle
"A smoldering combination of red currant, blueberry, violets, rum and raisin chocolate and tar, with a touch of white pepper. There are toasty oak notes and plenty of Cabernet cedar and tarriness. The wine commences with bright sweet fruits of red currant and mulberry, almost fairyfloss-like, that run the full length of the palate. Even with this fruit sweetness, underneath there is good balance of acidity and tannin, so the wine is concentrated and relatively smooth, especially pleasing in this type of year. On the finish there are toasty oak notes and classical Cabernet Sauvignon tarriness." - Winemaker Notes
2021 Chardonnay - $79 on special ; $89 per bottle
"Fruit aromas are typical Moss Wood ripe peach, combined with a zesty note similar to cumquat marmalade. These combine with lots of roast almonds and cashews, shortbread biscuits, malt and toasty oak for added complexity. The palate is lively, with fresh acidity giving lift to peaches, limes, grapefruit and caramel; there is full body and firm tannin underneath, so the wine displays good length and there is just a touch of malt and toasty oak on the finish." - Winemaker Notes
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - $129 on special ; $142 per bottle
"96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this is elegance personified. A low yielding and slightly cooler vintage, the grapes went into small open tanks for fermentation, with thrice daily hand-plunging. 15 days on skins and then pressed to tank before it was racked to French oak, 15% new. Over two years maturation. As mentioned, elegance personified. A silky combination of coiled power and finesse, this is a glorious Cabernet. Blackberries, spices, tobacco leaves, kid leather, violets, cigar box notes, aniseed and delicately integrated oak. There is a gossamer-like web of complexity weaving through the wine. Seamless, great length and cashmere tannins. This is a brilliant wine. Ten years, twenty years? How long have you got? If you are serious about great Australian Cabernet, this is a must for your cellar." - 99 Points, Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
"Gracefully powerful and exquisitely expressed, the wine shows blackcurrant, dark cherry, cedary oak, green olive and warm spice aromas on the nose. The concentrated palate delivers outstanding fruit purity and intensity, combined with finely textured mouthfeel and beautifully pitched grainy tannins, finishing with a great line and length. Impeccably detailed, precise and undeniably classy." - 98 Points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
To purchase any of the wines in today's newsletter please use the links above, phone us on (07) 3252 1117, or email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au - Prices valid until stock runs out or until Wednesday the 12th of October