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Moss Wood Wines is one of Australia's most prominent wineries. Located in the premium sub-region of Wilyabrup in Margaret River, Moss Wood was the second winery to be established in the locality after Vasse Felix. The first Moss Wood vineyard was planted in 1969. Like the other early entrants, the founders were encouraged by the potential of Margaret River to produce wines similar to the Bordeaux greats. In the beginning, Margaret River producers took reference from France as the spiritual home for the best wines with an emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Semillon and Chardonnay. But as Margaret River makers became more knowledgeable about winemaking in general and familiarity specifically with their own lands, the collective confidence has gone up many notches. Producers no longer talk about their wines as being similar to certain appellations in France, but rather let them stand on their own.
The Mugford family are the current owners of Moss Wood. Its association with the winery began with Keith Mugford’s appointment as Moss Wood's winemaker in 1979. In 1985, Keith and his wife Clare bought over the winery in 1985. Today, Moss Wood is highly sought after by wine lovers. Their wines are highly regarded by international wine critics (90+ points ratings are common) and the broader consumers as Vivino ratings attest to.We recently had an in-store tasting at our Guoco Tower bottle shop with Hugh Mugford walking us through the estate’s selections. Hugh is working alongside the team now as winemaker, having been involved in the last couple of vintages. The wines presented were a pleasure and inspiration for the promotion we are offering you today.
The wines that evening were uniformly great and I have included James Halliday and Bob Campbell’s comments below to give you an idea. They are the foremost wine critics of Australian wines. It will be a long email if I cover the whole range so instead, Instead I will just share my notes on 2 wines that were particularly interesting for me.
The Moss Wood Elsa Sauvignon Blanc (with 10% Semillon) is a French barrel aged white wine. While stainless steel fermented Sauvignon Blanc is prevalent, French oaked Sauvignon Blanc is not that uncommon, especially for higher end Sauvignon Blanc from the New World and in Loire Valley in France. For me though, the Elsa is quite different from both types in the most pleasant way. The wine hardly has the prominent grapefruit / guava notes that leap from the glass, yet it’s a lot livelier on the palate compared to the Sancerre / Pouilly Fume style. None of the attendees at the tasting could pick out that it was Sauvignon Blanc in their glasses.
The Moss Wood Semillon is the other wine that piqued my interest. Although commonly grown and bottled, Semillon is not readily found in Singapore. In Australia, most 100% Semillon can be found in Hunter Valley in New South Wales. Semillon in Margaret River is usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc, to give body to an otherwise light tasting varietal. Semillon from Hunter Valley tend to be more grippy and in your face. On the other hand, Margaret River ones tend to have a richer and mellower palate. The Moss Wood Semillon takes after this style and I think it is a versatile white wine to be enjoyed with a variety of dishes. I would say that both the Moss Wood Semillon and Mount Horrocks Semillon in Clare Valley are the only two 100% Australian Semillon that I have enjoyed so far. Like the best semillons produced, these 2 wines can be kept in the cellar for easily 10 years for them to show their true potential.
Here are the critic comments for some of the other wines.
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon (Bob Campbell, 96 points) "Fine-boned, linear cabernet sauvignon with dark berry, violet, dark chocolate, cedar, new leather and spicy oak flavours. It’s a perfectly-balanced wine with obvious cellaring potential. A complex wine with underlying power.Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon (James Halliday 96 points)“91% cabernet sauvignon, and 3% each of cabernet franc, merlot and malbec, 28 months in French barriques. The texture and structure are such that the drink-to dates have little meaning. Flavours of olive tapenade, crushed bay leaves and blackcurrant fruits, oak and tannin beholders rather than participants. 14% alc, screwcap. Drink to 2044.”
Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot (James Halliday 96 points) "A beguiling bouquet, its aroma glittering so rapidly it’s hard to keep up with them. Better to allow the wine to have its head and leave you to revel in the gloriously supple array of red and black fruits, the tannins translucent. 13.5% alc, screwcap. Drink to 2043."
Moss Wood Pinot Noir (Bob Campbell, 93 points) "Moderately light, peppery pinot noir with cherry, gunpowder, violet, floral and spicy oak flavours. Nice purity and subtle power demonstrated by a lingering finish. A distinctive wine that needs a little bottle age to show its full potential. Drink 2021-2028.
OUR DEAL If you are a Margaret River fan, you would already know Moss Wood. If not, do consider giving these wines a go especially with the promotion we are running now.
For a limited time, enjoy 10% off (promo code: MOSS10) the selected labels or 15% off (promo code: MOSS15) for any 3 bottles. While stocks last.
Life is too short to drink bad wine. Have fun!
Best regards, Wong Peng Chung (Kenny) Founder and Chief Wine Drinker
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