Region: Margaret River
Sub Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (4%)
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2023
The Wine
Few wines have done more to define Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon than Moss Wood. Established in 1969 as one of the region's founding vineyards, the estate quickly became a benchmark for Australian fine wine, proving Margaret River could produce Cabernet Sauvignon with the elegance, structure and longevity of the world's greatest examples. Since Keith and Clare Mugford took ownership in 1979, Moss Wood has remained one of Australia's most consistent and admired producers, with an unwavering focus on site expression rather than fashion.
Situated in the prized Wilyabrup sub-region, the vineyard enjoys a maritime climate that allows Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly while retaining exceptional freshness and natural acidity. The gravelly loam soils over clay provide excellent drainage and encourage deep root systems, producing wines of remarkable concentration without sacrificing finesse.
The 2023 vintage is already being heralded as one of Western Australia's modern classics. A long, cool growing season delivered fruit of outstanding purity, aromatic complexity and beautifully balanced tannins. Rather than the dense, brooding style sometimes associated with Cabernet, the 2023 captures everything that has made Moss Wood legendary—precision, restraint and effortless elegance.
The final blend comprises 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, matured in French oak barriques, just 15% of which were new. The restrained oak regime allows the vineyard to remain front and centre, framing vibrant blackcurrant fruit with cedar, graphite, spice and subtle savoury complexity.
Already immensely impressive, this is a wine that will reward patience over the next three decades while offering remarkable harmony even in its youth.
Cellared Says
Moss Wood has never been about making Australia's biggest Cabernet. Instead, it has quietly become one of the country's greatest by remaining faithful to a classical style built on perfume, balance and longevity. That consistency is extraordinary—few producers anywhere in the world can match the quality this estate has delivered over the past four decades.
The 2023 may well prove to be one of the finest releases in the winery's history. There is tremendous concentration here, yet it never feels heavy. Everything is defined by purity, freshness and remarkably fine tannins. It is a wine that reminds me why Margaret River deserves its place alongside the world's great Cabernet regions. If you're buying Australian Cabernet for the cellar, it's difficult to think of a safer or more rewarding purchase.
Reviews
"I had great expectation that this wonderful vineyard from this exceptional vintage would produce something equally exceptional. Well, guess what? It has... This is elegance. This is precision. This is brilliance... I do not believe there has been a better Moss Wood."
99 Points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and layered... freshness, energy, balance and drive in equal measure... It isn't dense or brooding... this has detail, life and energy. It is really excellent."
97+ Points – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
"Inky deep and generously concentrated with ample cassis, black cherry and mocha flavours... classical fine-grained tannins... Give it a few years and this wine will show its exceptional class."
98 Points – Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
Region: Margaret River
Sub Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (92%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (4%)
Country: Australia
Vintage: 2023
The Wine
Few wines have done more to define Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon than Moss Wood. Established in 1969 as one of the region's founding vineyards, the estate quickly became a benchmark for Australian fine wine, proving Margaret River could produce Cabernet Sauvignon with the elegance, structure and longevity of the world's greatest examples. Since Keith and Clare Mugford took ownership in 1979, Moss Wood has remained one of Australia's most consistent and admired producers, with an unwavering focus on site expression rather than fashion.
Situated in the prized Wilyabrup sub-region, the vineyard enjoys a maritime climate that allows Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen slowly while retaining exceptional freshness and natural acidity. The gravelly loam soils over clay provide excellent drainage and encourage deep root systems, producing wines of remarkable concentration without sacrificing finesse.
The 2023 vintage is already being heralded as one of Western Australia's modern classics. A long, cool growing season delivered fruit of outstanding purity, aromatic complexity and beautifully balanced tannins. Rather than the dense, brooding style sometimes associated with Cabernet, the 2023 captures everything that has made Moss Wood legendary—precision, restraint and effortless elegance.
The final blend comprises 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, matured in French oak barriques, just 15% of which were new. The restrained oak regime allows the vineyard to remain front and centre, framing vibrant blackcurrant fruit with cedar, graphite, spice and subtle savoury complexity.
Already immensely impressive, this is a wine that will reward patience over the next three decades while offering remarkable harmony even in its youth.
Cellared Says
Moss Wood has never been about making Australia's biggest Cabernet. Instead, it has quietly become one of the country's greatest by remaining faithful to a classical style built on perfume, balance and longevity. That consistency is extraordinary—few producers anywhere in the world can match the quality this estate has delivered over the past four decades.
The 2023 may well prove to be one of the finest releases in the winery's history. There is tremendous concentration here, yet it never feels heavy. Everything is defined by purity, freshness and remarkably fine tannins. It is a wine that reminds me why Margaret River deserves its place alongside the world's great Cabernet regions. If you're buying Australian Cabernet for the cellar, it's difficult to think of a safer or more rewarding purchase.
Reviews
"I had great expectation that this wonderful vineyard from this exceptional vintage would produce something equally exceptional. Well, guess what? It has... This is elegance. This is precision. This is brilliance... I do not believe there has been a better Moss Wood."
99 Points – Ray Jordan, The Wine Pilot
"The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and layered... freshness, energy, balance and drive in equal measure... It isn't dense or brooding... this has detail, life and energy. It is really excellent."
97+ Points – Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
"Inky deep and generously concentrated with ample cassis, black cherry and mocha flavours... classical fine-grained tannins... Give it a few years and this wine will show its exceptional class."
98 Points – Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal
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