2019 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Elsa

A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon matured for 10 months in French barrels of which 5% were new. Bright pale straw colour with a watery hue. Herbaceous asparagus scents mix with grassy citrus notes, light pencil shavings and spice. Lively citrus flavours have a zippy feel across the palate with herbaceous grassy characters, asparagus, dusty pencil shavings and spice lying underneath. Dry, crisp yet nicely rounded finish with a lingering aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews….
90% sauvignon blanc, 10% semillon. Hand picked and sorted, each variety vinified separately. 10 months in French barrels (5% new). Wow. Ok, so a new breed of barrel-aged sauvignon blanc is here. Intense and rich, rounded, complex and viscous in texture. The tannins (yes, tannins - despite only an hour on skins) are ripe and chewy; they frame the soft citrus fruit in a pillow of texture. Sauvignon blanc can be edgy - this is not. Semillon can be grassy - this is not. Keith has managed to capture the attributes of both varieties, with none of the obviousness. What a wonder. Drink by 2025.
96 points
Erin Larkin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion