Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

*If purchased as a single gift it comes supplied in a gift box*

Awards 

99 Points, Ray Jordan

Ray Jordan describes the 2023 as a beautiful example of what Moss Wood Cabernet is all about: elegance, precision and brilliance. He highlights the high-end florals, violet and red currant, the restrained suppleness on the palate, and the deep intensity that carries through to an exceptionally long finish.

Cellaring: Ray Jordan suggests 30 years.

Tasting Notes 

Colour: Deep brick red with bright condition.

Aromatics: Blackberry, blackcurrant and mulberry lead the nose, with plum and red currant adding brightness. Behind the fruit are classic Moss Wood Cabernet notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, graphite, leather and olive, with oak sitting quietly in support.

Palate: Full-bodied, composed and very long. Blackberry, cassis and blueberry drive the palate, supported by darker notes of chocolate, spice and fine cedar. The tannins are firm but refined, giving the wine structure without roughness.

Finish: Exceptionally long and balanced, with lingering cassis, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate and bright acidity.

A Landmark Moss Wood Release

The 2023 vintage marks the 50th anniversary of Moss Wood’s first Cabernet Sauvignon, made in 1973. Very few WA wines carry this kind of history, and even fewer have remained so closely tied to one vineyard site over such a long period.

That single-site consistency is part of what makes Moss Wood Cabernet so revered. Every vintage reflects the season, but always through the lens of the same Wilyabrup vineyard and the same long-term commitment to balance, detail and ageability.

Vintage 2023

The 2023 growing season was moderate and even, with above-average winter rainfall setting up good soil moisture for the unirrigated vines. The season then delivered an extended ripening period, few extreme heat events and steady flavour and tannin development.

Moss Wood describes 2023 as sitting among its more classical seasons, with a longer ripening period helping to build fine structure and detailed fruit expression. In practical terms, this means a Cabernet with concentration, fragrance, ripe tannins and freshness rather than excessive weight.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River, Western Australia
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Alcohol: 14.0%
Bottled: 5 November 2025
Released: 1 May 2026

Production notes:

• All fruit hand harvested
• Hand sorted and destemmed at the winery
• Individual parcels fermented separately in small open fermenters
• Multiple yeast strains used for complexity
• Hand plunged three times per day
• Time on skins ranged from 13 to 16 days
• Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel
• Matured in 228L French oak barriques, 15% new
• No fining
• Sterile filtered before bottling

Serving and Cellaring 

Serve: 16 to 18°C

Decant: 2 to 3 hours if opening young. This is a serious Cabernet with firm structure, and air will help reveal the florals, cassis, cedar and graphite.

Cellaring: This is built for the long term. Moss Wood expects the wine to develop classic bottle-age complexity over the first decade, then enter its peak drinking window after 2043 and remain there until at least 2063.

Food Pairing Suggestions 

• Rib-eye or scotch fillet with red wine jus
• Roast lamb with rosemary, garlic and anchovy
• Beef Wellington or slow-cooked beef cheek
• Venison with blackberry or juniper sauce
• Mushroom and truffle dishes
• Aged cheddar, Comté or hard sheep’s milk cheese
• Premium charcuterie with olives and crusty bread

FAQ 🧐

Is Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 ready to drink now?
Yes, but it is very young. It has enough fruit and balance to be enjoyed now with a long decant, although its greatest years are still ahead.

How long should I cellar Moss Wood 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon?
This is a long-term cellar wine. Ray Jordan suggests 30 years, while Moss Wood expects the wine to enter peak drinking after 2043 and continue well beyond that.

Is this a big, heavy Cabernet?
No. It is full-bodied and powerful, but the style is elegance, precision and balance rather than size for its own sake.

What makes Moss Wood Cabernet so important?
Moss Wood Cabernet is one of the great benchmark wines of Margaret River and Western Australia. It has a history going back to the first Cabernet vintage in 1973 and remains one of the most collected and respected Cabernet releases in the country.

Should I buy this as a gift?
Absolutely. This is one of the safest premium WA wine gifts for a serious wine lover, collector or Cabernet drinker.