This bold Margaret River Chardonnay expresses rich layers of pineapple, peach, apricot, and custard powder, underscored by toasty oak and exotic spice. Both Wine Advocate and Decanter awarded it 93 points, praising its ripe tropical profile, textured mouthfeel, and poised acidity. With full malolactic fermentation and 50% new oak aging, it delivers power and polish, while a fresh mineral line keeps things lively. Drink now for its exuberance or cellar through 2035+ to unveil buttery toast and deep complexity.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Jul 6, 2023
Drink: 2023-2035

The 2022 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay was always going to be like this; a warm year combined with a rich style has produced a wine of characteristic hedonism, with toasted pineapple, apricot square (the sugar dusted ones), yellow daisies, fleshy peach and custard powder. The phenolics that reside on the middle palate through the finish throw a cinnamon-laden fireball across the tongue, leaving a streak of amaro herbs, nutmeg, charred sandalwood and star anise in its wake. There's a lot going on. It's lighter than the Moss Wood estate 2021 Chardonnay tasted beside it but not by much. Frisky. A little edgy. More corners. Composed, though. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Moss Wood has a long reputation in the region for elegant, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignons. The wines from the late '70s are still wines that you can access (with some difficulty, but possible) in 2023, and the wines, cork willing, are elegant, classy and ethereal and of beauty and place. Once the winery shifted to screw cap in 2000, the cork closure is no longer a problem. Wines from 2001 and 2005 remain some of my favorite Cabernets from Margaret River, ever. Needless to say, the all-time 2014 vintage was also handled most favorably at this address.

While the estate has expanded to include a varietal estate Semillon and the Ribbon Vale Vineyard Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay, the estate Cabernet Sauvignon remains the wine that it is best known for and is the basis of its iron-clad reputation. I visited the estate at the end of 2021 and tasted through numerous barrel samples, aimed at understanding the various impacts of selected coopers. It was a fascinating exercise and a pleasure to see the wines in that state. The 2020 estate Cabernet Sauvignon hails from an excellent vintage and is a great representation of what they are known for.

Decanter | D 93
Published: Jun 8, 2024
Drink: 2024-2037

Firmly in the riper spectrum of Margaret River Chardonnay, the nose is cushioned and pillowy, with finely perfumed oak spice, woven with lifted honeysuckle, ripe apple and candied lemon drop, then leaning towards tropical tones of compressed rockmelon. The palate is resplendent with powerful, polished and glossy, rounded phenolics. A fine veil of sea spray salinity and tightly strung acidity keeps thing fresh and moving along. Cellaring will reveal much more with time. Whole-bunch pressed, full malolactic, fermented and aged in 50% new oak for nine months.
Closure: Screwcap/Stelvin
Alcohol: 13.50%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

Jamessuckling.com | JS 90
Published: May 15, 2023

This is a contrarian approach to chardonnay, distinctively forward and fruity, reminiscent of older school Australiana. Attractively so, at least for those seeking respite from the linear, mineral pungency of more contemporary expressions. Mid-weighted. A blast of creamed cashew, nougatine, white peach and dried hay, melds with vanillin oak. Salacious, in the best way. Drink or hold.

Mosswood.com.au

Tasting Notes
Colour and condition:
Light to medium straw hue, with green tints; bright condition.

Nose:
A nose with a broad array of aromas, including prunes, nectarine, musk, limes, marmalade, roast nuts, vanilla ice-cream and toasty oak.  Quite the combination!

Palate:
The palate is immediately generous, with full body underpinning flavours of limes, peach, apricot and caramel.  There is good length and fresh acidity that ensures a zesty lift.  The finish has soft tannins and a touch of toasty oak.

Cellaring:
At this stage of the discussion, it’s always a dilemma resolving exactly how long a Chardonnay must be cellared for.  Our point is the wine has terrific youthful balance and generosity and can be enjoyed now.  However, it will certainly age well but will need at least a decade to show its bottle bouquet.  When it does the nose will add layers of buttered toast and the structure of the palate will soften, making it much rounder and even more generous.