Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Accolades

Wine Companion – 96 Points
“For such a youthful cabernet, this is perfectly pitched and composed. A delight to drink now, so I did, all thanks to the neat combo of cassis, mulberries, fresh herbs and oak spices. Nothing out of place. The medium-weighted palate reveals its elegance thanks to fine tannins and a level of detail we come to expect from this producer, and thus not disappointing”

Ray Jordan – 96 Points
“This is one of the best cabernets yet released from this vineyard. It’s a gracefully presented wine of elegance and poise from the fine chalky tannins through to the energised finish. Blackcurrant and savoury plum notes with a light bay leaf and black olive nuance. The palate is so tightly knit with the fine tannins and fine-grained oak harmonised and defined”

Tasting Notes 🍇

Colour and Condition
Deep crimson with a brick red hue, bright and youthful in condition.

Nose
Dominated by dark fruits: blackberry, mulberry, blackcurrant and plum. Layers of blueberry yoghurt, Black Forest cake, dark liquorice and jubes sit over complex notes of violets, cedar, tobacco, tar and toasty oak.

Palate
Full bodied and intense. Blackberry, mulberry, boysenberry, cassis and dark cherry drive the core, supported by black olive, liquorice, dark chocolate, vanilla custard, tobacco, cedar and dried spice such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Tannins and acidity are beautifully balanced, present and persistent through the mid and back palate, yet everything feels integrated and plush.

Finish
Long, structured and seamless, with dark fruit, cedar, spice and fine tannin length lingering well beyond the last sip.

Vintage 2022 Summary ☀️

Mother Nature was in a benign mood overall. Record rainfall in 2021 meant unirrigated vineyards carried excellent soil moisture. During flowering from mid November to late December, conditions were largely dry and mild, yet yields were lower than expected due to heat load earlier in the season. Ribbon Vale recorded plenty of time in the ideal ripening range, but also significant hours above 33°C and a very hot Boxing Day. The season eased later, extending ripening and helping tannins mature beautifully. Fruit came in healthy with no fungal issues and no bird damage.

Blend and Vineyard 🍷

Blend

• 90% Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2.5% Merlot

• 2.5% Cabernet Franc

• 2.5% Malbec

• 2.5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol
14%

This is Cabernet led, with small additions of classic Bordeaux partners to add complexity, perfume and structure.

Winemaking and Maturation

• All fruit hand picked, destemmed and sorted

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec fermented in small open tanks

  • Seeded with multiple yeast strains

  • Hand plunged three times daily

  • 13 to 16 days on skins

  • Temperatures controlled to 32°C

• Merlot treated separately in closed tanks

  • Chilled to 10°C for cold soak

  • Then warmed to ambient and fermented

  • Pumped over three times daily

  • Temperatures controlled to 32°C

• Pressed to stainless steel, then malolactic fermentation completed

• Racked to 228L French oak barriques, 19% new for the Cabernet Sauvignon component

• Final blend assembled in September 2023 and returned to barrel

• Total time in oak: 26 months

• No fining, as trials did not improve the wine

• Sterile filtered and bottled 2 August 2024

Cellaring Potential ❄️

This is a long distance wine. Moss Wood suggest:

• 10 to 15 years to begin developing bottle bouquet

• A further 10 to 15 years beyond that to complete the process

• Beyond 30 years there should be no rapid decline

• Capable of drinking well into its fifth decade

In short, this is a wine for collectors, but it will still give plenty of pleasure now with a proper decant.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve at 16 to 18°C

• Decant 1 to 2 hours when young to open aromatics and soften structure

• Best with food, especially roast meats and rich dishes

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Roast rib eye or slow cooked beef

• Lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic

• Duck with cherry or plum sauce

• Mushroom and truffle dishes

• Aged cheddar or hard alpine cheeses

Learn About Moss Wood Wines

Planted in 1969, Moss Wood Wines is an important, founding estate of the Margaret River wine region, located in the northern sub–region of Wilyabrup, Western Australia.

Moss Wood Margaret River was founded as a specialist, high-quality winery, and this remains its primary purpose, serving as the driving force behind its ongoing presence in the industry. Clare and Keith Mugford, winemakers, viticulturalists, and proprietors, have been nurturing Moss Wood’s vineyard since 1984 and 1979, respectively. Their meticulous vineyard practices guarantee grapes of exceptional quality, resulting in a portfolio of fine wines known for their consistency across vintages and remarkable aging potential. The Moss Wood and Mugford labels are renowned for their unwavering commitment to excellence.

At Moss Wood, we firmly believe that the quality of wine begins in the vineyard. We continuously evaluate viticultural techniques, drawing insights from the latest research, both external and our own. This dedication has led to ongoing trials and enhancements in trellising systems, soil conservation methods, and pruning practices.

Read the latest Moss Wood Wine Reviews HERE