Moss Wood’s Amy’s cabernet sauvignon from 2010 is a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 32% petit verdot, 12% malbec and 5% merlot. It is therefore a “Bordeaux” blend, although I have had few wines from Bordeaux with such a high percentage of the very late ripening petit verdot. Petit verdot is however a grape eminently suited to ripening in regions warmer than Bordeaux, and I happen to like its Australian
expression.
I think of the Amy’s label of Moss Wood, as in effect being their “second wine” – a chance to try an echo of their grand vin at a more affordable price. From the bottle, the wine is bright, with a pronounced intensity expression of a purple colour, and legs evident. The nose is youthful with a medium-pronounced intensity primary fruit aroma of jammy blackcurrants, anise and spice (cloves). The palate displays similar flavours – blackcurrants, cloves and anise, with medium fine grain tannins and length.
The wine is only young at this point and I expect it will improve. It did seem to lack some body and length on the mid-palate, and I felt I would like to see this wine in the low $20s, rather than in the $30s. It is however otherwise a very good example of a Margaret River cabernet blend. 87 points (very good)
Abv: 14%
Price: $30-$35
Vendors: the winery appears to have stocks at the lower price point
Website: http://www.mosswood.com.au
Tasted: March 2012
