2013 Moss Wood: an “everyday posh” red from Australia

I hosted a rather fine private client event last week in Mayfair and lined up a superb collection of what I call “everyday posh” wines from Jeroboams. All of the wines were European apart from my featured wine this week. The evening was characterised by a cornucopia of flavours and, by all accounts, the wines hit their mark. Interestingly, the most commented upon wine was this Margaret River cabernet sauvignon and it was the most expensive on the night, too.
A rogue Aussie, from one of the finest estates in the country, Ribbon Vale sits in between Moss Wood estate cabernet and the forward-drinking Amy’s cuvée in both flavour and price (both of these wines are featured in my 100 Best Australian Wines 2018/19 report and both of them are in stock with more coming in the autumn).
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ribbon Vale borrows class from its world-famous parent, and immediacy and flair from its junior sibling. What is amazing is that 2015 Moss Wood Cab and 2017 Amy’s are my featured vintages in this year’s “100 Best” – and yet Ribbon Vale is still on the 2013 vintage and it is fully mature and utterly irresistible.
Smashing claret aside with the back of its hand, this is the real deal from Australia and it will blow you away. When the 2013 vintage runs out, the awesome 2015 follows – what fun you will have.
2013 Moss Wood, Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia £29.95, reduced to £26.96 by the case, from Jeroboams.co.uk, 020-7288 8888
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (MatthewJukes.com).
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How quarterly estimated tax payments work and when they are due
The Explainer Freelancers, small business owners and those with a side hustle may need to make more frequent tax payments
-
'Alligator Alcatraz will be a blight on the Everglades'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Kirsty Coventry: the former Olympian and first woman to lead the IOC
In the Spotlight Coventry, a former competitive swimmer, won two Olympic gold medals
-
The best rosé wines to try this summer
The Week Recommends Warm weather means it's pink wine's moment in the sun
-
The jalapeño wine trend taking TikTok by storm
The Week Recommends Scatter a few chilli slices into your sauvignon blanc for a subtle and refreshing kick
-
Wine-tasting in Tuscany
The Week Recommends From biodynamic vineyards to historic cellars, the picturesque region is a wine lover's dream
-
A wine-themed tour of beautiful Uruguay
The Week Recommends Secret paradise in South America boasts beautiful vineyards
-
Organic wines that won't cost the Earth
The Week Recommends From a 'zippy' muscadet to a 'dangerously drinkable' malbec
-
Mulled white wine: a 'quirky' Christmas hit?
The Week Recommends Retailers are hoping to tempt shoppers with a 'lighter' version of the classic festive tipple
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country