Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

This cuvée comes from the Moss Wood estate, located in Wilyabrup, in the northern part of Margaret River, Western Australia. This maritime wine region benefits from the cooling influence of the Indian Ocean, which moderates temperatures and encourages slow, steady ripening of the grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines grow on gravel and silt soils over a clay base, able to retain water while ensuring good drainage. The mild climate, ocean breezes and long growing season produce wines that combine concentration, freshness, fine tannins and a precise expression of the Wilyabrup terroir.

The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed and fermented in open vats with selected yeasts. After about ten days of maceration on the skins, the wine is pressed and transferred to French oak barriques, some of them new, for 24 months of ageing before blending and bottling.

This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry, complemented by touches of violet, tobacco leaf and cedar. Oak ageing adds nuances of vanilla, sandalwood and sweet spices, while a subtle hint of fresh earth underlines its Margaret River character. The palate is broad and refined, carried by a fresh backbone, a dense yet elegant texture and ripe, tight-knit, silky tannins. The long, structured finish extends the flavours of black fruit and cocoa.

Australia began making wine more than two centuries ago. The result is a country rich in old vines, multi-generational winemaking families and a deep-rooted knowledge of and respect for craftsmanship. Add to that a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude and a varied portfolio of 65 wine regions across many climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine country like few others. Australia burst onto export markets in the 1980s and has since offered the whole world vibrant, fruity wines of exceptional value. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the story of Australian wine was dominated by over-concentrated examples of Shiraz, Grenache and red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diversity of Australia's high-quality and regional wines, which has always existed. Australian viticulture is mainly concentrated along the southern ocean fringe, where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, located around the major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the 4th largest exporter in the world in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries today for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines all over the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.