Ribbon Vale Merlot

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot is sourced from the unirrigated Ribbon Vale Vineyard planted in 1977 at Wilyabrup in the heart of Margaret River. Soils are classic gravelly loams over clay.

Merlot, like its Burgundian cousin Pinot Noir, demands special attention in the vineyard. Its canopy is managed to allow plenty of sunlight and its yield restricted, allowing full ripening.

The handpicked fruit is sorted, destemmed and open fermented with multiple yeast strains with hand plunging thrice daily. After two weeks on skins, the juice is pressed for malolactic fermentation.

Maturation takes place over 24 months in predominantly seasoned French oak. The Merlot is blended in stainless steel with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, then returned to barrel to age further.

Brick red, Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot has rich dark fruit flavours, firm balanced tannins and soft oak. Cellaring potential is 12 years.