WTN: Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

Exceptional - 95 points - if, like me, you like your Cabernets with a broad spectrum of flavour (from leafy greens to savoury to almost sweet) and with umpteen nuances (such as a very fine Bordeaux), you would have gone gangbuster over this corker of a red. Served double-blind, I thought it possibly as old as mid-nineties but more like 2000-2002 and definitely a Cabernet, but a 1980!?!? You’ve got to be kidding me! Deep ruby and totally opaque, virtually no lightening at the edges, this wine had it all - otherworldly aromatics, lovely flavour profile and near-perfect structure. The magnificent supple tannin structure (but still holding up) being the only vaguest hint this wine had more age on it. Otherwise I suspect well-cellared bottles of this will last for another 20 years. An Australian classic! I was (and still am) absolutely stunned at the freshness and incredibly high standard of preservation of this wine. Keith Mugford (or whoever was responsible for making this at the time) should be held in awe for making something as good as this. Bravo!

Would have loved to have been there. You're a fortunate guy, David. I always love to hear about Aussie wines aging beautifully.

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