Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot 2022
- 93
- $96
- Drink by: 2024-2032
Share
I suspect this wine holds a Moss Wood record for the shortest vintage weather report they have ever issued – “Mother Nature was in a very benign frame of mind”. Of course, they didn’t leave it at that, but it is a great start. In addition to the Merlot, 7% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% of Cabernet Franc were also included. The wine spent 26 months maturing in 228-litre French barrels, 21% of them new. A deep red/garnet hue, this is still very youthful and if opened in the next couple of years, would very much benefit from a decant, or time in the glass. The nose gives us notes of dried herbs and fruitcake, with plums, black fruits, chocolate, bay leaves and spices. There is plenty of power here, a good forceful style with firm tannins and a lengthy finish. Enjoy for at least the next five to eight years, most likely considerably longer.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
