2018 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml)

Pitch black at its heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Intense ripe blackcurrant aromas intermingle with liquorice and mulberry followed by cedary tobacco, fresh herb, spicy vanillin cedar and black olive notes. Rich and deep the medium to full bodied palate is awash with ripe blackcurrant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits. Refined yet powerful with a polished tannin structure providing a solid framework for the long term. Elements of vanillin cedar, subtle bay leaf, earthy black olive and spice also chime in. Concludes long and finessed. Although quite approachable now it will comfortably cellar 10-15 years.
Alc. 13.5%

PLEASE NOTE: 6 Bottle Limit Per Customer

Other Reviews….
“BEST JUST GOT BETTER”

This is getting just ridiculous. From the time the heavyweights of WA wine started to reveal their wines from the 2018 vintage, it has been a cavalcade of one great wine after another. A few weeks ago, I got pretty excited about the latest Leeuwin Art Series chardonnay.

Now, I have another problem, albeit it a good one. Moss Wood have just released their 2018 cabernet sauvignon. And, oh, here's a shock, it is without doubt one of their greatest - dare I suggest, it might be their greatest. Read on for that pronouncement.

Winemaker Keith Mugford reckons that 2018 was just about perfect.
“If you couldn't make a decent wine from this vintage, you only have yourself to blame." he said.
In some ways, the 2018 is the style of Moss Wood that caused slightly negative comments on the earliest Moss Woods, suggesting the wines were nice but wouldn't last. Well, weren't they seriously off the mark? You see. Moss Wood is subtle, refined, understated and almost pretty.
The 2018 is so exquisitely perfumed, almost in the vein of a Margaux, and beautifully poised and refined with an effortless length and power all expressed with that typical Moss Wood polish. After sipping my Moss Wood tasting bottle, I took it with me to try with friends later. And it was spectacular, even better on the second day. I reckon if it were possible, I would be enjoying it even more in 40 years time.

It is classic Moss Wood that ranks with their best. Is it their best? Yes.

As I suspected in anticipation, a great wine from a great vintage. This is a glorious statement from one of the great estates of Margaret River. Classical medium weight in that understated Moss Wood way. Perfectly integrated oak and fine, chalky tannins for support. Leafy cabernet notes on the nose with a touch of light bay leaf and brick dust. The minerally edge to the palate holds the line through to the very long finish. The length on the palate is extraordinary.
99 points
Ray Jordan - The West Australian

It’s fair to say, that Moss Wood Cabernet is a very distinctive style. It always tastes like Moss Wood, which is a good thing. MB had a look at this wine also, though I’ve spent a little more time with it just now seeing what happens with a decent amount of airtime (not sure if that’s one word, or two, but looks messy as two).

Red and black berries, violets, dried mint, but also a fair amount of savoury stuff, such as leather, resin and toasty wood, almost a liquorice sort of richness too. Full-bodied, dense and chewy, fresh acidity, saline and seaweed characters, feels a bit gummy with it, and the finish is packed with dry tannin and beefy flavour, and is a little abrupt as a result. It will unfurl with bottle age, is my educated guess, but kind of growly and tense as at now. Best after 2030. Screw cap. Drink 2025 - 2040.
94 points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front (March 2021)