Mollydooker "The Violinist" Verdelho 2006

The first 2006 vintage wine spotted in Nashville came to town highly rated, reasonably priced, and in short supply. Sparky and Sarah Marquis wasted no time bringing their new label Mollydooker to the USA, after they ended their involvement with Dan Philips' Marquis Philips label.

Mollydooker is Australian for "left-handed".  The label was designed by Sarah Marquis, who like her husband Sparky, is left-handed.  When she was a child, she was required to play the violin right-handed to avoid the scene depicted on "The Violinist".

Verdelho is also known as Verdejo in Spain (popular in Rueda), and is a delicate grape prone to fast oxidation. Sparky Marquis reports the composition of "The Violinist" 2005 is 100% Verdelho from 10-year-old vines in McLaren Vale. All the wine spent time on the lees, but malolactic fermentation was not allowed. A portion was fermented and aged 25 days in new French and American oak.

Tasting Notes: Color: Pale straw with a greenish tint.  Aromas: Sweet melon, mango, pineapple, lemon and hints of flint and smoke.  Tart and citrusy at first, then the bright fruit flavors evolve into a creamy and well rounded-off texture, which finishes crisp and clean.  Alcohol: 15%.

Closure: Screw cap.  Excellent value ($16).  Food pairing: Fresh cut fruit.  Cases produced: 1300.

Winewaves recently posted a picture of Sparky Marquis when he was in Nashville on July 18th.

Comments

[Denise Treat]

Had this when Sparky came into the Baltimore area, and I must say that this is the most intense verdelho I think I've ever had. It's definitely over the top