Winemaker Notes
Initially there is a real impact of bright, fresh fruit aromas, dominated by the black fruits like blackberry and cherry, something normally associated with Cabernet Franc, plus, of course, blueberry, red currant, and the perfumed notes of violets. There are soft oak notes in the background that combine with some tobacco and tarry notes that Cabernet Sauvignon builds with long term barrel age. This theme of lively fruit notes continues on the palate, where the generosity of the red and black fruit provides fleshy mouthfeel. This layer of red currant and blackberry flavours balances what is for Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, quite a firm structure, with bright acidity and firm tannin. On the finish, there is just a suggestion of toasty oak, tar, and leather, giving the wine good length and persistence.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This premium Cabernet (with a touch of Cab Franc and Merlot) is more primary and dark-fruited when compared to Moss Wood’s Ribbon Vale Cab. It’s also more complex: a melody of black and purple fruit, spices, florals, tomato leaf and umami. While it’s set up for a long life, it’s also more approachable in its youth than Ribbon Vale. Tannins are tight-reined but sit supportively behind the silky fruit rather than charging to the front. A picture of grace amidst power. Drink now through 2034.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2015 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon offers an excellent look at the higher echelon of the Margaret River red wines. TASTING NOTES: This wine is concentrated, yet not overpowering. Enjoy its attractive and focused aromas and flavors of black fruit, dust, and earth with grilled beef. (Tasted: February 5, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.