Moss Wood Chardonnay Margaret River, West Australia – 2020

Cabernet may well be the ‘signature grape’ at Moss Wood but Chardonnay is hot on its heels. Moss Wood 2017 was voted Australia’s best Chardonnay by James Halliday’s Wine Companion and points have been consistently high across recent vintages.

The 2020 vintage Chardonnay has ripe peach aromas, combined with a zesty note similar to cumquat marmalade.  These combine with lots of roast almonds and cashews, shortbread biscuits, malt and toasty oak for added complexity.

On the palate it is lively, with fresh acidity giving lift to peaches, limes, grapefruit and caramel; there is full body and firm tannin underneath, so the wine displays good length and there is just a touch of malt and toasty oak on the finish. Drink 2022-2040

“Pale colour. Classic nectarine, grapefruit, marzipan waxy aromas with hints of vanilla and butterscotch. Generous, creamy and minerally with fresh grapefruit, nectarine fruits, fine supple textures and underlying grilled nuts, marzipan, vanilla notes. Finishes chalky and minerally. A very buoyant style with ample fruit, lovely richness of flavour and superb new oak which should further integrate with time. Drink now – 2032” 95pts Andrew Caillard MW