2017 Moss Wood Margaret River Chardonnay is medium to deep straw hue, with green tints and in bright condition. Very generous Chardonnay stone fruit-like aromas of peaches and nectarines, combined with the typical Moss Wood complexities of orange marmalade, honey, caramel and roast almonds. The near 50% new barrels have given a lightly toasty background.
Here the wine replays the combinations of the nose, with stone fruits, oranges and caramels combining to give a rich but lively feel. This length and depth of flavour is underpinned by crisp acidity and a well-hidden but firm tannin, ensuring the right sort of structure for good cellaring.
There has been a strong consensus at Moss Wood that this is the best Chardonnay they’ve made. The combination of fruit depth, complexity and structure is what they wish for every year. This means it has the sort of youthful fruit and generosity that will very likely encourage its consumption while its young. However, it has the spine to develop well and age for the long term and we recommend keeping it for at least 10 years to see some development but 20 years for full maturity.
It only takes a millisecond to know you are in the presence of vinous royalty. This is a truly beautiful chardonnay, seamless perfection from the first sip. You know there has to be quality oak somewhere in the wine, and know that all the analytical numbers will be a Bo Derek 10. It is liquid gold.