R Wines-Marquis-Philips-Cabernet Sauvignon-McLaren Vale-Australia-2008-$11.21-A nose of sweet dark fruit, dark purple in color.  A full bodied tasty red, black currants, blackberry, licorice and spice, a very good value.                  RP-90                CR-4-4.5                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Peirano Estate Vineyards-Six Clones-Merlot-The Heritage Collection-Lodi-California-2007-$10.99-A nose of rustic dark fruit, dark black in color.  A bit rough, full bodied, blackberry, cherry, some chocolate, usually better QPR for this winery.                   WS-79             WE-84               CR-3.5               Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

It’s International Mollydooker Day (Aug 13) and the release of the 2009 Mollydookers!

And do you know what Sarah and I think – Yeeeeeehaaaaa (Aussie for "very excited"). We are pumped because everywhere we go, while catching up with friends across the US, and tasting the 2009s, a celebration breaks out. We are hoping that you are going to be able to join us for one of our events later this year (we’ll send you an email with the dates very soon).

Bryan, Janet and I traveling from Chicago to Charlotte in preparation for the 2009 Mollydooker Release (photo courtesy US Airways flight hostess).

Sarah and I believe the 2009s to be the best wines we have made and it is really rewarding when our friends do too. Our trade distributors are already, before the wines are even released, telling us that the wines are flying off the shelves, and asking us if they can have more.

Excitingly this is what the Wine Spectator Insider (www.winespectator.com) July 21, 2010 has already published:

2009 Carnival of Love Shiraz - 94 points &  featured as a ‘Hot Wine’
‘Dense and chewy, but after an initial hit this backs off to let the gorgeous smoke-tinged black cherry, mulberry, dried tomato and tomato leaf flavors emerge at an almost leisurely pace. There is a sense of refinement under the raw power, and the expressive finish holds on. Drink now thru 2018′ – HS
2009 Enchanted Path Shiraz Cabernet – 91 points
‘Broad and generous, with a sandy, spicy edge to the red cherry, blackberry and tar flavors, persisting with real elegance on the long, focused finish. Drink now thru 2013′ – HS
2009 Gigglepot Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 points
‘Firm and fleshy, offering a juicy mouthful of ripe currant and cherry fruit. Gains welcome complexity, with hints of eucalyptus and bay leaf as the finish extends nicely. Neither the fruit nor savory notes prevail, creating a nice tension. Drink now thru 2013.’ -HS

Ever wondered how long our wines will cellar?

Robert Parker, who recently re-tasted some of our older wines, says that our 1997 and 1998 wines ‘are still spectacular wines that are aging beautifully. They admirably demonstrate that the Marquis team knows a great deal about what they are doing.’- www.erobertparker.com

As you may remember I tend to drink them and not age them because I can’t resist them, but for those of you who can, you now know from Mr Parker that the wines we make do age beautifully.

We have plenty of wine available on the website www.mollydookerwines.com and your local fine wine retailer should have an allocation. We can’t wait to share the new wines with you and hope that you enjoy them as much as we do.
Cheers

Estancia Estates-Chardonnay-Pinnacles Ranches-Monterey County-California-2008-$9.99-A nose of citrus and spice, golden yellow in color.  A easy drinking, full bodied white, citrus, apple, caramelized oak, a good value.               WS-87             WE-84              CR-3.5-4                 Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.

Fetis Wines-Playmates-Shiraz-Mataro-Grenache-Barossa Valley-Australia-2008-$15.29-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A big but not over the top blend, blueberry, blackberry, plum, spice, good but has been better in previous vintages.                WS-89              CR-3.5-4           Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

We are so excited that it’s time again to catch up with all of our wonderful friends stateside.

During August, we will be in the northern half of the US, and the southern half during late September-early October. We are hoping that we will get a chance to see you.

We will be doing Blend a Hand celebrations where Sparky will lead you through a tasting of the 2009 Leftys and a fascinating, interactive seminar which shows you how we blend our wines. You’ll have a lot of fun and will have the opportunity to make your very own blend ‘that makes you go WOW!’ Then we’ll taste the fabulous 2009 Party, Love and Velvet Glove wines with dinner.

For ticket reservations and information, please visit the travel schedule on our website or call us toll free on on 888 MD SHIRAZ (888.637.4472).

SoCal tennis tournament at La Costa Resort July 31^st – Aug 8^th

We have some complimentary reserved seating and invites for 4 amateurs to play in the ProAm tournament on Friday morning August 6. Email Tarlie at tarlie@mollydookerwines.com.au for details. First come, first served.

We can’t wait to see you!

Le Carre-Red Bordeaux Table Wine-Saint Emillion Grand Cru-France-2006-$45.99-A nose of dark fruit, deep purple in color, a smooth, medium bodied, very good considering it’s young to drink, black currants, cherries, licorice, a nice wine.                RP-93             WS-90            WE-90           CR-4.5     Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

R Wines-Chris Ringland-CR-Ebenezer-Shiraz-Barossa Valley-Australia-2006-$18.99-A nose of dark fruit and smoke,  dark purple almost black in color.  A full bodied, big wine, enjoyed this bottle more than the last one last year, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, not for Old World fans, a delicious wine.               RP-93                CR-4.5              Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Zaca Mesa Winery-Syrah-Santa Ynez Valley-California-2005-$21.99-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth, full bodied red, blueberry, blackberry, spice, pepper with a good finish, a solid wine.                 WS-92                WE-90               CR-4-4.5                 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

J & D Grilli-Primo Estate-Il Briccone-Shiraz-Sangiovese-McLaren Vale-Australia-2006-$16.66-A nose of cherries and spice, amber in color.   A classy, rich, juicy blend, cherries, spice, a very food friendly wine.                 RP-89            CR-4-4.5                Good with chicken, cheeses, salads.

Bill and Noel Ireland-Fireblock-Dry Riesling-Watervale-Clare Valley-Australia-2008-$11.11-A nose of minerals and citrus, pale straw color.  Very dry, lemon, medium acidity, light bodied, just can’t get into a Riesling…not bad, just my fav.                RP-88               WS-88              CR-3.5-4          Good with seafood, cheese, salads.

Castello Banfi-Brunello di Montalcino-Sangiovese-Italy-2001-$60.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark ruby in color.  A delicious red, currants, blackberry, smoke, tea, spices, full bodied with a long finish, decanted for two hours.                   RP-89              WS-93              WE-91            CR-4.5               Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Purple Cowboy-Tenacious Red-Red Blend-Paso Robles-California-2007-$10.99-A nose of dark fruit, purple black in color.  A full bodied, interesting blend, dark fruit, cherry, spice, a good value, a midweek wine.              WE-81          CR-3.5-4                  Good with burgers, chicken ,pasta.

Imprimata Pty Ltd-Slipstream-Fastback-Shiraz-McLaren Vale-Australia-2006-$16.88-A nose of dark fruit and earth, dark crimson in color.  A typical Ausi Shiraz, cherry, black cherries, blueberry, and spice, found it a bit average.          RP-89-91             WS-91              CR-3.5-4              Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

MollyClub is here!

As a Member of MollyClub, you will have access to:

· Members’ prices on all wines – mates rates on every drop

· Mega formats - because sometimes, size does matter

· Winemaker’s dinners and vertical tastings – deliciously fun

· Access to limited release wines - your backstage pass

Want to become a Member? It’s easy! For membership until August 13^th2011:
- Have our Winemaker’s Dozen sent to you in four shipments over 12 months for four payments of $140 and we’ll send you your wine, three bottles at a time
OR
- Have our Winemaker’s Dozen delivered to you in one easy shipment (RRP $662, MollyClub price normally $560) at the special introductory price of $499.
Prefer a different mix to the same value? No problem, drop us a line or call us, and we’ll sort it for you.
Let’s celebrate – Blue Eyed Boy magnums for only $89!
Our first MollyClub offer is the exclusive opportunity to pre-order magnums (1.5L) of the fabulous 2009 Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz for only $89 each (RRP $125, a 31% saving!). Once you become a Member, log in to our website and select from the Order Our Wines page. The price will automatically adjust at checkout.
We invite you to become a Member of MollyClub. Join us by calling 888-MDSHIRAZ (888-637-4472) or simply visit www.mollydookerwines.com/MollyClub.
Cheers
Sarah, Sparky & the Mollydooker team

Vina La Reserva De Caliboro-Erasmo-Unfiltered Red Wine-Maule Valley-Chile-2004-$16.92-A nose of dark fruit, dark amber in color.  Blackberry, black currants, cherries, vanilla, full bodied, very dry, a big tart.           RP-91            WS-87            WE-88              CR-4               Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

The Lucky Country-Shiraz-Barossa Valley-Australia-2008-$11.99-A nose of dark fruit, dark purple in color.  Cream de Cassis, blackberry, licorice, smoke, a bit hot, have had better Shiraz’s in this price range.               NR             CR-3.5             Good with burgers, ribs, pasta.