Moss Wood, Margaret River

Dr Bill Pannell established Moss Wood in 1969 at what is clearly one of the choicest and most beautiful vineyard sites in Australia. Keith (pictured) and Clare Mugford who bought the property in 1985 have taken Moss Wood to the pinnacle of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. The 5-hectare vineyard, at Willyabrup, is planted on gentle northeast facing slopes and soils ranging from sandy loam to a gravelly red/brown loam over clay. The combination of site, vineyard management and soil conservation has been the key to ultimate fruit quality. Longer skin contact time during fermentation and a change in encepagement with the inclusion of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot in the blend has made the wine deeper in colour, more perfumed and textured.

Since the 1996 vintage, all Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon sees extended oak ageing of 24 months in French barriques. The first vintage was 1973 with a production of 250 cases. The wine is elegant in style with pronounced cassis-blackcurrant aromas, hints of cedar and touches of leafiness and a finely-structured palate. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has been discontinued in favour of a single wine, the highly respected Cabernet Sauvignon, which deservedly enjoys Exceptional status in Langton’s Classification.

The Margaret River Pinot Noir is perfumed and supple, arguably the best from the region and much better than the almost identically labelled Moss Wood Pemberton Pinot Noir, a pleasant but early-drinking style.

The Chardonnay is yet another reason why Margaret River is a leading region for this variety and the Semillon is a brilliant foil to the Hunter Valley style with fresh, lemony herbaceous aromas and flavours and thirst-quenching acidity.

Moss Wood acquired the neighbouring Ribbonvale Vineyard in 2000 and now produces both a single vineyard Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet under this name. In more recent times it has also embraced Margaret River grower vineyards producing a Moss wood “Lefroy Brook Vineyard” Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, “Green Valley“ Chardonnay and “Palandri Vineyard” Chardonnay. Mosswood Amy’s Cabernet is an early drinking style with considerable appeal. Mosswood are strong proponents of the use of screw caps – approximately 70% of the vintage is now bottled with this alternative closure.