Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Wilyabrup, Margaret River, Western Australia, 2016  

91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc with 20 months in French oak (18% new). 

A classic Moss Wood Cabernet. On the nose Cabernet Sauvignon gives blueberries and mulberries, Cabernet Franc notes of blackberries and violets and Petit Verdot giving sweet musk lollies and dark jubes.  Since the wine had such long barrel age, these fruit notes are underpinned by tar, leather and cedar notes as well as a touch of cherry oak.  The palate gives generous blueberry, blackberry and red currant flavours.

Winemakers notes. The youthful intensity of the wine is such that it can be consumed as a youngster.  The aroma intensity and palate concentration really lend themselves to enjoyable early drinking.  Nevertheless, it will reward those with patience.  We noted the similarity with the 2005 and that vintage is just beginning to show some maturity at 14 years of age.  We are very confident the 2016 will develop in a similar way, reaching full maturity at around 25 years of age.