Ribbon Vale Merlot 2020

Tasting Notes 🍷

• Color – Deep brick red, bright and vibrant
• Nose – Cherry chocolate, blueberry, blackberry, and rose, with hints of tar, cedar, and toasted oak
• Palate – Juicy blackberry and satsuma plum, layered with musk-like confectionery notes. The full-bodied texture is supported by dense tannins from the low-yield vintage. Subtle toasty oak and coffee bean notes linger on the finish

Winemaking Process

• Hand-picked fruit, destemmed and sorted
• Merlot cold-soaked for 2 days, then fermented in closed tanks
• Fermentation controlled at a maximum of 32°C
• Daily hand plunging (open tanks) and pump-overs (closed tanks) for gentle extraction
• Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before 26 months of aging in 228L French oak barriques (16% new)
• Unfined, sterile filtered, and bottled on August 4, 2022

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Slow-roasted meats – Lamb shanks, beef short ribs, duck confit
• Hearty pasta dishes – Beef ragu, wild mushroom risotto
• Aged cheese – Gruyère, parmesan, aged cheddar

Serving Temperature 🌡️

• Best served at 16-18°C 
• If stored at room temperature above 20°C, place in the fridge for 60 minutes before serving
• If stored in a wine fridge at 12-14°C, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before drinking
• Decant for 60 minutes before serving to allow full expression of flavours

FAQ: Wine Terms Explained 🤔

• Merlot – A plush, fruit-forward red grape known for its velvety texture and deep berry flavours
• Cold Soak – A pre-fermentation technique that enhances color and aroma extraction
• Malolactic Fermentation – A secondary fermentation that softens acidity, giving the wine a rounder mouthfeel
• French Oak Barriques – 228L oak barrels used to add subtle spice, structure, and complexity
• Tannins – Natural compounds that provide structure and aging potential

Technical Details

• Region – Margaret River, WA
• Alcohol – 13.5%
• Blend – 88% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc
• Median Harvest Dates
  • Merlot – March 9, 2020
  • Cabernet Franc – April 5, 2020
  • Cabernet Sauvignon – April 5, 2020
• Aging – 26 months in French oak (16% new)
• Bottling Date – August 4, 2022
• Release Date – October 7, 2022

Cellaring Potential

This wine is built for longevity. While it is enjoyable in its youth for its rich fruit flavours, it will benefit greatly from 10+ years of aging. At full maturity (around 25 years), expect deep chocolate, tar, and complex tertiary notes to emerge.

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