MOSS WOOD | Wilyabrup | Amy’s | 2020
cabernet sauvignon | malbec | merlot | petit verdot

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The wine that we are going to review today hardly requires any introduction, as this is one of the most famous wine labels from the lands of Down Under – Wilyabrup Amy’s 2020 by Moss Wood. The story of this famous winery started in the spring of 1969 in Margaret River, more exactly in the northern sub-region of Wilyabrup, Western Australia, where Clare & Keith Mugford have been making wine and tending the vineyards at Domaine Moss Wood. Amy’s was created as an easy-drinking alternative to the estate’s more complex and age-worthy cabernet sauvignon wine. This wine is a Bordeaux-styled blend, composed primarily of cabernet sauvignon (72%) along with a dash of malbec (10%), merlot (10%) and petit verdot (8%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, malbec is all about up-front richness and black fruit flavors, merlot builds a more refined mid-palate and delivers a more dynamic finish, while petit verdot add more floral notes, tannin extract and enhances the wine’s color depth. The grapes for this wine have been sourced from the Glenmore, Caves Road and Yallingup vineyards located in the coastal, Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River, and in order to gain extra complexity, but at the same time to preserve the varietal characteristics of the four grape varieties, the final blend has been aged for 18 months in used oak barrels. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble ruby shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & savory
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, this wine offers a delightful olfactory experience that showcases ripe fruit character intertwined with savory undertones. The foreground exhibits a medley of red fruits, complemented by hints of old leather, brown olive, iron and veal. The aromatic presence of redcurrant, blackcurrant, sour cherry, red plum, cranberry and pomegranate skin adds vibrancy and depth. In the background, earthy and spicy elements emerge, accompanied by subtle nuances of marl, loam, clay, tobacco and rooibos tea. Subtle and noble notes of sun-dried oak, oaktree bark, cloves and hints of cedar complete the sensory journey. With its balanced blend of ripe fruit, savory undertones and delicate oak influences, this wine presents a harmonious and enticing bouquet.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium+ | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: appealingly-crisp

On the palate, this wine reveals a harmonious blend of ripe, red and black fruits, accompanied by earthy and savory undertones. Its exuberant acidity adds a lively freshness on the mouthfeel, while its silky and fine-grained tannins create a smooth and refined texture on the palate. A subtle touch of alcoholic warmth enhances the wine’s character, contributing to its allure. The wine feels ample, rich and plum, exhibiting a well-structured and even complex body, with a lingering, appealingly-crisp aftertaste. This is a wine that offers balance, harmony and finesse, making it an excellent choice for those wine enthusiasts seeking for a ready to drink but genuine and honest representation of Margaret River’s terroir.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or age for 2 or 3 more years
verdict: great | a must try wine

All in all, this is a voluptuous and complex wine blend that combines effortlessly the rustic delicacy of its terroir-driven origins with the vibrant expression of red and black fruits. The wine’s ample and rich body reveals a captivating mix of flavors, offering a delightful journey for the palate. This wine is a testament to the art of winemaking, as it managed to capture the essence of its origin and, at the same time, deliver a harmonious balance between rustic delicacy and finesse.

//Scoring
MOSS WOOD | Wilyabrup | Amy’s | 2020
variety: cabernet sauvignon | malbec | merlot | petit verdot
country: Australia | Western Australia
region: Margaret River | Wilyabrup
rating: 94.0
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This is definitely a great wine of Australia and, with a total of 94.0 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Based on the wine’s savory profile, we believe it will pair lovely with classic braised beef short ribs. The wine’s ripe fruit character and its savory undertones, will complement beautifully the rich flavors of the tender meat, while the wine’s exuberant acidity and fine-grained, silky tannins will cut through the richness of the dish, creating a harmonious balance. In the same key, the wine’s ample body and complex nature will stand up to the bold flavors of the ribs, enhancing each bite with its depth and character. This pairing is a delightful combination of rustic elegance and vibrant flavors. Cheers!

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