Product Description:
A full-throttle Chardonnay with cool-climate finesse—Ribbon Vale finds its stride in 2024.
Now in its fourth release, the 2024 Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Chardonnay is a benchmark expression of Wilyabrup terroir. Sourced from a higher-altitude vineyard in one of Margaret River’s driest, warmest growing seasons in decades, this single-vineyard wine captures richness and clarity in equal measure. The grapes were hand-picked early—nearly a month ahead of average—but delivered pristine, flavour-packed fruit with natural acidity and structure.
Fermented in stainless steel then transferred to French oak barriques (47% new) for malolactic fermentation and nine months’ maturation, this is a Chardonnay built on balance. Bright citrus and peach are layered with white florals, toasted pastry, almond and honeyed spice. Creamy in texture but always guided by mineral drive and energetic acidity, it’s a wine that’s both immediately generous and built for evolution.
Drink now for its lemon curd plushness and textural lift, or cellar for up to 20 years as it develops toast, caramel and nutty depth.
Maker
Since 1984, Clare and Keith Mugford have steered Moss Wood with a precision that few Australian estates can match. As both winemakers and viticulturists, the Mugfords have shaped the legacy of this founding Margaret River winery with an unwavering commitment to detail—from vineyard floor to bottle. Moss Wood's philosophy is simple but uncompromising: every decision, whether in the field or in the cellar, must enhance the final wine. It’s this ethos that underpins a portfolio known not only for its consistency and age-worthiness but also for its deep understanding of site, vintage, and vine.
Moss Wood was among the first to believe in the potential of Margaret River, long before the region gained its global renown. Drawing inspiration from Bordeaux, the Mugfords refined a style uniquely suited to Wilyabrup’s coastal environment, instead of trying to copy Europe outright. It’s this balance of innovation and restraint that makes Moss Wood a benchmark—not just for the region, but for Australian wine more broadly.
The Vineyard
Moss Wood and Ribbon Vale are both situated in the pioneering sub-region of Wilyabrup—arguably the beating heart of Margaret River. First planted in 1969, the Moss Wood Vineyard lies across 11.78 hectares of unirrigated, north- and east-facing slopes, with gravelly loam soils layered over clay. At Ribbon Vale, established in 1977, similar dry-grown practices prevail across its 6.36 hectares, but the site faces south and west, offering nuance and contrast within the broader Wilyabrup terrain.
Across both vineyards, viticulture is handled with a light but knowledgeable touch. Canopy management, minimum tillage, and careful soil stewardship are part of a broader strategy to ensure vine health and longevity. Pruning, trellising, and even harvest decisions are constantly reassessed in light of current research and decades of in-house observation. It’s this empirical approach—rooted in Margaret River’s young but evolving terroir—that allows Moss Wood to produce wines of quiet power and remarkable poise, year after year.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Bright and layered
White peach, preserved lemon and jasmine, backed by vanilla, pastry, and a hint of ginger.
PALATE
– Creamy and driven
Honeydew, apricot and cashew wrapped in nougat, with crème caramel and crisp citrus tension.
FINISH
– Long and mineral
Textured and persistent with toasty oak, white spice and saline lift.
Reviews & Accolades
There are some very impressive chardonnay releases coming out of Margaret River right now – and this is up there with best of them... From a very fine vintage this has seen aging on lees to add complexity, but it retains all the elements of a classic cooler-climate chardonnay. – Winsor Dobbin, Wine of the Week
This is the fourth vintage of the Ribbon Vale Chardy and it has established itself as a fine addition to the range... There is a creamy texture with juicy acidity and superb length. This has at least six to eight years of providing pleasure ahead of it. – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot, 94 Points
Pale colour. Intense lemon curd, grapefruit, tropical fruit aromas with ginger/ hint vanilla notes... Finishes bittersweet and minerally. Lovely regional presence and vinosity. Brilliant wine. – Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal, 96 Points
This is a rich and textured chardonnay from the Ribbon Vale vineyard... Beautifully balanced with a crisp acidity controlling the finish. The higher altitude vineyard contributes to more of the lively citrus, white peach, and grapefruit nuances. – Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot, 94 Points
RV 2024 is a full-bodied Chardonnay with white and yellow peach flavors... its balance is already clear – fruit, integrated with high quality oak and a great acid line driving everything along. – Fergal Gleeson, Great Wine Blog
Finer Details
Style: White Wine
Varietal: Chardonnay
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage: 2024
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Closure: Screw Cap
