Moss Wood Semillon 2021
- 92
- $39
- Drink by: 2021-2025
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Moss Wood in Margaret River has been making Semillon for over four decades, and it has a loyal following. Not always as consistent as their other wines, but, as they say in the classics, when it is good, it is very, very good. The style has seen variations over time and vintage conditions play a role (Moss Wood offer exceptionally detailed reports of vintages on their website if you ever want to get the low down). Semillon from Margaret River is usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc but, at Moss Wood, they prefer to go solo. Hand harvested and then whole-bunch pressed before transfer into stainless steel tanks for 48 hours. Multiple yeast strains are then added for fermentation at 18 degrees to dryness. Then racked, sterile filtered and bottled.
Margaret River Semillons almost inevitably have a green edge. That is noticeable, though not intrusive, here. Deep yellow in colour, perhaps a little more than one would expect for a ’21. The wine is fresh and youthful. Aromas of lemons, green fruits, custard, citrus, spices and herbs. There is a minerally texture, with good length. An attractive style that is probably best drunk within the next couple of years.
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.
