{"product_id":"moss-wood-ribbon-vale-merlot-2015","title":"Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot 2015","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlanted in 1969, Moss Wood is an important, founding estate of the Margaret River wine region, located in the northern sub–region of Wilyabrup, Western Australia. Clare \u0026amp; Keith Mugford, as winemakers, viticulturalists \u0026amp; proprietors, have been making wine \u0026amp; tending the vineyard at Moss Wood since 1984 \u0026amp; 1979, respectively. Their exacting viticulture ensures the production of grapes of excellent quality \u0026amp; they have created a stable of fine wines distinguished by their consistency over each vintage \u0026amp; their ability to age superbly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"228\"\u003eThe Merlot was fermented on skins for 15 days and Cabernet Franc for 14 days before being transferred to 228L French oak barrels (Merlot on 13 April 2015 and Cabernet Franc on 31 March 2015, with 9% new oak used for the Merlot). In December 2016, the wines were racked to stainless steel, blended (91% Merlot \u0026amp; 9% Cabernet Franc), then returned to barrel for further maturation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"380\" data-end=\"516\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIn August 2017, the wine was racked again to stainless steel, fined unsuccessfully, then sterile filtered and bottled on 28 August 2017. \u003cspan\u003eThe quality of the 2015 vintage has ensured generous youthful fruit flavours that can be enjoyed now but it is a keeper and needs a minimum of 10 years cellaring to begin to show its bottle bouquet.  For those with patience, it will reach full maturity around 2035.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colour is bright, deep brick red. On the nose displays powerful black fruits of blackberry and mulberry, backed up by Merlot’s complex notes, with lots of mushroom, tar and earth. The palate has immediate impact with intense dark fruit notes of cherry and blackberry filling the front and mid palate.  Underneath is a firm structure of acidity and tannin, but both are in good balance, such that the texture is smooth, with no drying or bitter astringency.  The finish combines classic Merlot style of soft charry oak and bitumous notes. \u003cem\u003eMoss Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Margaret River","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52443756560665,"sku":"8616","price":70.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/7831\/0937\/files\/ComingSoon_01deca45-17db-4f08-981e-4f639d28131d.png?v=1779936004","url":"https:\/\/nationalwinecentrestore.com.au\/products\/moss-wood-ribbon-vale-merlot-2015","provider":"National Wine Centre of Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}