2025 Moss Wood Chardonnay 750ml

Overview

A rich, complex and age-worthy Margaret River Chardonnay from Moss Wood. The 2025 vintage combines concentrated peach, nectarine and citrus fruit with fresh acidity, fine lees-derived texture and integrated French oak. A long maturation in barrique builds depth and complexity while retaining balance and a clean, composed finish.

Vintage

After the early and dry 2024 season, 2025 returned to a more typical growing cycle. Good water availability and generally consistent warmth allowed the old, dry-grown Chardonnay vines to progress steadily through ripening without excessive heat stress. The median harvest date was 3 March 2025, with fruit reaching a mean ripeness of 13.2° Baumé.

The growing season averaged 20.53°C, with 1,099 hours accumulated between 18–28°C and 54 hours above 33°C. Chardonnay took 117 days from flowering to harvest, matching the long-term average. Yield was 5.03 tonnes per hectare.

Winemaking

All fruit was hand picked and sorted before being whole-bunch pressed in a pneumatic press. The juice was clarified by flotation and seeded with multiple yeast strains for primary fermentation.

Once fermentation was underway, the wine was transferred to 228-litre French oak barriques, of which 48% were new, where primary fermentation was completed. Full malolactic fermentation followed, and the wine remained in barrel for approximately 18 months.

After maturation, the wine was racked and blended in stainless steel. Fining trials were conducted, but as none improved the wine it remained unfined. It was subsequently cold stabilised and sterile filtered before bottling on 5 August 2026.

Producer Tasting Notes

COLOUR AND CONDITION
“Medium straw hue with green tints; bright condition.”

NOSE
“The nose is immediately appealing, showing lifted aromas of white peach, nectarine and citrus, with hints of lime and grapefruit. Beneath the fruit are the typical Moss Wood Chardonnay complexities of cashew and roasted almond, together with nougat and lightly toasted notes from the barrel maturation.”

PALATE
“The palate is full-bodied and generous, with peach and nectarine fruit providing good weight and concentration. Fresh acidity runs the full length of the palate, bringing balance and giving the wine a lively, composed feel. Citrus and grapefruit notes provide freshness through the middle palate, while cashew, nougat and subtle toasty oak add complexity and texture. There is excellent depth without heaviness, and the combination of fruit weight and acidity gives the wine a long, clean finish.”

Cellaring

The 2025 Chardonnay can be enjoyed in its youth for its vibrant peach, nectarine and citrus character, while Moss Wood expects significant bottle development from around 10 years of age and full maturity at approximately 20 years. Well-cellared bottles should continue to develop beyond that point.

Producer

Moss Wood is a Margaret River producer known for wines built around vineyard expression, careful viticulture and long-term cellaring potential. Its Chardonnay is produced with a focus on fruit concentration, structure and barrel maturation, while retaining the freshness and acidity required for extended ageing.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2025
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Country: Australia
• State: Western Australia
• Region: Wilyabrup, Margaret River
• Harvest: Hand picked and sorted
• Median Harvest Date: 3 March 2025
• Mean Harvest Ripeness: 13.2° Baumé
• Yield: 5.03 t/ha
• Pressing: Whole-bunch pressed
• Fermentation: Primary fermentation completed in French oak barriques; full malolactic fermentation
• Maturation: Approximately 18 months in 228L French oak barriques
• New Oak: 48%
• Fining: Unfined
• Alcohol: 14.0%
• Bottled: 5 August 2026