Sterling Wine Auctions Australia

Very few Australian wines command instant attention, recognition and respect at home and around the world.

If Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace command greatest interest, Moss Wood, particularly the iconic Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, is in the same elite class.

The February Sterling Wine Auction catalogue starts 2009 in fine style with a huge hoard of the rare 1990’s Vintages Moss Wood Cabernets. Many still in the original cartons.

Go to the catalogue and start at lot 800 for almost 150 lots of Moss Wood

My recent experiences with Moss Wood Cabernet are, sadly, too limited. Hint Hint!!

This is a wine that I always look forward to with genuine excitement. Hint Hint!!

The 2005 was my pick from a Stella line up of 2005 heavy hitters at the La Vigna International tasting. Mike Tamburri, generous as ever put on a line up of seriously heavy hitters including monsters from Bordeaux like Pichon-Lalande and Cos-D’Estournel and Australian big tickets like the Torbreck Run Rig.

In this illustrious company the 2005 Moss Wood may not have been the greatest wine, (with $500 a throw wines on the list; cost per bottle, it probably was!) but it amazed me with its pure clean power and an aftertaste that rolled back onto your tongue like a second wave of flavour, long after first impressions.

Reminds me of the famous Perth Doctor with a weakness for Porsche who was a committed Latour drinker, nothing else was good enough; Until he discovered Moss Wood Cabernet, particularly the 1990!

Recently my dear friend Inspector Lucas spoiled me with the 1998 over the best simple food in town. The Prophet in Victoria Park is the best Lebanese, maybe the best value eats in town.

The Inspector is a big Shiraz man who has a taste for all things classy. The Moss Wood 1998 was a huge surprise for both of us. A tower of power with so much grace and balance, wonderful varietal character and length that kept on lingering. Sadly this bottle was also too small and was quickly finished.

The 1990 at the Loose Box with Chef Fabriques wonderful fare; A gentle giant of a wine that unfolded and delighted. Sadly my delight peaked at the bottom of the glass. Sadly; never enough of a wonderful thing.

The 1980 Moss Wood Cabernet is still one of the most exciting and memorable reds I have shared. The bottle was tatty and the level was low, not too much was expected. The experience of sipping away under shade outside Frasers in Kings Park was a big lift but the wine was FABULOUS. Think we agreed that the bottle was too small and that Moss Wood vineyard must have a magical combination of the right vines and the perfect locale. It all works so well.

If you have and magic “Moss Wood Moments” send then in and we will keep this page running.

For all the good oil; vintage reports, wine reviews and press gallery go to the Moss Wood web site. Look out for Keith’s photo!

www.mosswood.com.au

Thanks to Keith and Clare Mugford and all the dedicated artistes that have had a hand in making Moss Wood what it is today

February 2009