The 2008 Merlot The Scooter,which was aged in 40% new oak, displays an alluring perfume of cedar, spice box, plum, mulberry, and black currant. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers intense flavors that are already revealing some complexity. Ripe, succulent, and lengthy in the finish, it has enough structure to provide enjoyment over the next 6-8 years. It is a small stepping toward reviving the good name of Merlot. Sparky Marquis calls the 2008 vintage in McLaren Vale, “The vintage from hell”. A huge heat wave struck in March with 15 consecutive days over 100? Fahrenheit. As a result of these challenging conditions, the Mollydooker team made no upper level wines in 2008. The grapes for their entry level wines were sourced predominantly from the cooler regions of Langhorne Creek and Padthaway which were less affected by the heat. In retrospect, the timing for bypassing their top cuvees was probably fortunate because selling those higher priced wines in this economy would have been a major struggle.Importer: Mollydooker International; www.mollydookerwines.com.au

Open-textured, with a smoky edge to the syrupy berry and charred red pepper flavors. Drink now through 2012. 969 cases made, 838 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / South Australia Select to Add