Sarah and Sparky's Mollydooker Wines!
August 02, 2006
PLEASE NOTE: REGRETFULLY, THESE WINES ARE NOW SOLD OUT!
The other day, one of my more savvy customers came in
and asked me if I knew about Mollydooker wines. Why yes I replied, but
how do you know about Mollydooker? Well, she said, "the
Shiraz just received 95 points from Robert Parker and it's supposed to
be only $20 a bottle!....I want some!" Geez, I left the country for a
couple of weeks and upon return....boy, did I feel
uninformed! I knew about Mollydooker (an affectionate Aussie
term for a lefthander), because it was the label namesake Sarah and
Sparky Marquis (both southpaws) had decided on for their new wine
venture. You see, on our trip to Southern Australia last January, Sarah
and Sparky treated us to a lovely dinner at the Windy Point
Restaurant > http://www.windypointrestaurant.com.au
high on a mountainous ridge overlooking the city of Adelaide. We were
privvy to the news as early as March through follow up
personal e-mails and telephone conversations with
them.
In 1998, Sarah and Sparky formed
their own company, intending to produce a modest volume of high quality wines
for Henry's Drive in Padthaway and for the Shirvingtons of McLaren Vale.
The phenomenal 1998's Henry's Drive and Parson's Flat wines saw them
selected as "Australian Winemakers of the Year" in 2000. The stunning 2001
Shirvington Cabernet earned them the title of "McLaren Vale Bushing King and
Queen" for a record breaking third times, and the 2002 Shirvington Shiraz
received 99 points from Robert Parker. Sarah and Sparky's joint label
Marquis Philips (with USA importer Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate) was first
released in 2001, producing a limited 8000 cases. After rapturous acclaim
in the USA, stocks were rapidly depleted. By vintage
2004 Marquis Philips' production had increased to 120,000
cases. Its iconic wine, "Integrity" (Sarah and Sparky graciously
served us a bottle of the 2001 when we dined together!) twice was awarded
99 points by Robert Parker, and Marquis Philips was honored as one of the
Wine Spectator's "Top 20 value oriented wineries in the
world". When the relationship with Dan
Philips dissolved last year, Sarah and Sparky were determined
to define their next wines with an uplifting new
challenge to themselves and a promise to the consumer - "We make wines that
make people go 'WOW' - through attention to detail and
committment to excellence."
So here
are the first three "limited" premiere releases to test your
WOW factor; all attractively
packaged in the playful and
theatrical Mollydooker theme.
Below are tasting notes by Robert Parker
in the Wine Advocate's June 2006 Issue. For more information go to
the following pdf links for more Mollydooker dope from Sarah and
Sparky. I am pleased to be one of the very first American merchants to
offer these great values. No
"bow wows" here!
The 2005 The Boxer Shiraz (primarily from
McLaren Vale, followed by Langhorne Creek and Padthaway) exhibits a
black/blue/purple color, an incredible density of fruit along with that
tell-tale purity, blackberries, white flowers, melted chocolate, sweet licorice,
and subtle wood. Full-bodied, beautifully textured and layered with an awesome
finish, it should drink well for 4-6+ years. - 95
points http://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/files/boxer.pdf
The 2005 Two Left Feet is a 65% Shiraz, 19%
Merlot, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon blend assembled by Sarah Marquis. The fruit
is sourced from McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Langhorne Creek, and the wine is
aged for 9-12 months in a combination of American and French oak (about 50% new
and 50% one-year old). It boasts an inky/purple color, superb intensity, a big,
sweet, full-bodied nose of creme de cassis, graphite, white chocolate, black
olives, blackberry liqueur, and spice, and a spectacular, voluptuous, even
unctuous texture. This is a big, powerful, classic southern Australian red made
with no compromises. The good news is that there are 6,500 cases of this superb
value. Drink it over the next 3-4 years, although I suspect it will last for a
decade or longer. -
94 points http://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/files/two_left_feet.pdf
The 2005 Maitre d' Cabernet (32% from
Padthaway and 68% from Langhorne Creek) was aged in a combination of American
and French oak, 40% of which was new. It is a superb Cabernet Sauvignon offering
creamy creme de cassis notes intermixed with hints of licorice, new wood, and
spice box. Full-bodied with great intensity, purity, density, and opulence as
well as a voluptuous texture, rich mid-palate, and long, full-bodied, supple
finish displaying notions of roasted coffee and white chocolate, it is hard to
believe Cabernet Sauvignon can hit this level of quality at this price point.
These wines are meant to be consumed young, but it is hard to believe these
knock-out reds won't last for 5-10 years. - 92 points http://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/files/maitre_d.pdf
Each of the above wines is
$19.95 per bottle, sold in a in 3 bottle "sampler" set (of one
bottle each) for $59.85 - If you wish to purchase in larger
quantities, then simply order in multiple sets; 2 sets for
$119.70, 3 sets for $179.55, 4 sets for a full case
at $239.40.
Quantities are limited so act quickly! LIMITS MAYBE IMPOSED! All orders will be confirmed by e-mail
with attached invoice for your
reference.
Stay tune for two more "wowser" Mollydooker wines
to be released this Fall -
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