2020 Moss Wood Wilyabrup Ribbon Vale Merlot, Margaret River

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2020 Merlot named Merlot of Year by Ray Jordan

When Australia’s finest merlots are discussed this one must be in the mix. Recent vintages have been stunning, and I have to say this one, which combines the concentrated intensity of the small 2020 vintage with such supreme elegance, is as good as any released and that includes the 2018. In fact, stylistically, I think this velvety smooth, perfumed and so finely elegant wine pips it. The combination of sweet red fruit with a chalky tannin wrap creates such a perfect expression of the variety. Needs more time than the ‘18.

98 points Ray Jordan