Moss Wood Chardonnay Margaret River, West Australia – 2021

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. Nose: An absolutely typical Moss Wood Chardonnay showing all the vineyard’s classical features but with the added intensity from the mild season. There are bright fruit aromas of melon, peach and lime, with a complex background of roast cashews and almonds, crème caramel and honey. The final note is a soft, lightly toasty oak. Palate: The influence of the cool season also shows up nicely on the palate, where the wine displays full body but crisp acidity. This amplifies the bright peach and melon flavours, followed by caramel and a touch of oak. There is some tannin on the finish but they are nicely balanced by the fruit generosity. “The 2021 Chardonnay is concentrated and nutty and littered with roasted pineapple, citrus flesh, creamed cashew, red apples and clotted cream. Loads of acid mingling with the fruit. This is a deep, rich wine, consistent with the Moss Wood Chardonnay style. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” 94/100pts Wine Advocate “Rich, mouth-filling chardonnay with peach, butterscotch, oyster shell, sizzled butter and spicy oak flavours supported by just enough vibrant acidity to prevent any suggestion of cloying.” 94/100pts Bob Campbell, The Real Review