2023 Moss Wood Pinot Noir

97 Points - Ray Jordan, rayjordan.com.au

“This is one of the finest pinot noirs yet from Moss Wood, delivering a wine of subtlety and power in equal measure. The vintage contributed vibrant colour, floral, cherry and raspberry aromatics, and a sublimely textured, finely integrated palate. Fine acidity and chalkiness complement the bright red fruits, capturing what pinot is all about. A terrific example of the variety and of Margaret River. 4.5/5 Stars - Fergal Gleeson, Great Wine Blog They’ve always been Pinot obsessed at Moss Wood. The Pannels planted back in 1973 when Pinot was niche. It remains a popular part of the MW range as Pinot Noir has become vogueish. It’s 45th consecutive release, makes it one of the Australia’s longest running Pinots. Moss Wood Pinot Noir has heady notes of fresh fruit on the nose. The palate continues with glossy red fruit- cherry ripe and strawberry. It’s richer, riper and more intense than its Autrement Pinot Noir 2024 stablemate from Karridale. Moss Wood PN ’23 is an age worthy style. I’d drink in 3-10 years for more earthy complexity. But it is pretty now! Marc Malouf, Wine Worth Writing About Clear ruby with a blush of pink and a pretty, lifted nose of rose, lavender, spearmint and nettles, macerated red berries, white pepper, rooibos tea, green olive, marshmallow root, roasted chestnut and complex oak spice. In the mouth it bursts with transparent flavours of both fresh and candied red fruits, blackcurrant, plum, cherry and orange zest that are spiced with clove, vanilla, chocolate and a touch of cola. With good intensity of flavour, firm acidity and very fine and polished tannins, it soars across its arc and ends on a very long tail that leans into Negroni territory, with red fruit top notes and the sustain of oak.”

93 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion

“This outsider, as in pinot noir in Margaret River, has been part of Moss Wood's landscape since the '70s, so it has its own DNA. Lots of strawberry conserve and macerated cherries, all sprinkled with dried mint. Angostura bitters, loads of spices and some nutty, nice oak. It's refreshing, with lively acidity and supple tannins. Best in the short-term. Closure: Screw cap. 14% alcohol. (Drink by 2031)”

92 Points - Angus Hughson, Vinous

“The 2023 Pinot Noir Wilyabrup is fine and ethereal, offering wafts of dark cherry, red licorice and Middle Eastern spices. There is superb balance between energetic red fruit flavors and silky tannins, which drive a very long and well-defined finish. (Drink between 2025-2035)”

91 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

“Yes, it's a good wine. Peppermint, strawberry, cedar, quite some baking spice and tobacco leaf, caramel, amaro twang and herbs. It's juicy, quite fleshy, hazelnut and poached strawberry, some blood orange tang, with a gently sooty tannin finish of solid length. A pink peppercorn spice closes it out and some liquorice pastille. It's a bit soft and squishy, though it does have character. They age pretty well these wines, so there is that. Robust style yet kind of interesting/individual all the same. (Drink between 2025-2035) Original score: 91+ points.”