Synopsis, Our Opinion: A “BIG & BOLD” Shiraz that gives a whole new meaning to the term Big & Bold!!!
Producer/Winery: Sarah Marquis; MollyDooker Wines; McLaren Vale, South Australia.
Grape Variety: Shiraz.
Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: South Australia.
Vintage: 2016
Price: $48.00 (with a wine dinner discount)
Purchased From: Undercurrent Restaurant; Greensboro, North Carolina.
Paired With: Skillet seared 6oz filet mignon, green onion-cheddar twice baked potato, grilled asparagus, roasted tomato reduction; and tiramisu with raspberry-chocolate syrup and raspberries. (This was the third and fourth course of an Undercurrent restaurant virtual Valentines Day dinner.)
Tasting:
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Note: The undercurrent restaurant had a virtual Valentines day wine dinner that came with or without wines. We chose not to have the wines the Undercurrent paired with the dinner and instead chose two that were a little more upscale and from our cellar. It is interesting to note that the bottle of Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy was purchased from a previous Undercurrent wine dinner (see: Wine Pairing Dinner: Undercurrent Restaurant; Greensboro, North Carolina).
Opaque, dark purple/garnet color with a light purple rim. Dark fruit, sweet spices, chocolate, vanilla, sassafras (root beer) and sweet tobacco smoke aromas. Fairly smooth entry, plush, rich and intense mouthfeel, full body and a 150-grit texture. Lots of ripe blackberry, blueberry, licorice and spicy black pepper flavors. Very adequate, but not over the top bright acidity, smooth tannins that provide a firm structure and a long spicy tasting finish. WOW, WOW big and bold, fruit forward, exhilarating 16% alcohol and almost overwhelming Australian Shiraz. It’s hard to believe, but there were subtleties to the massive fruit flavors, the balance was noteworthy and in spite of its intensity the wine was palatable and alluring. We called it a “BIG & BOLD” Shiraz that gives a whole new meaning to the term Big & Bold.
Photo from Mollydooker Wines.
See also: our reviews of other Mollydooker wines and the review of Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc 2019 that was paired with the first two courses of tonight’s dinner.
Alcohol Content: 16%
Closure: screw cap.
UPC Code: 9 336975 000303
Imported by: MollyDooker International; Calistoga, California.
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First Course
Shrimp and Crab Cocktail, Avocado-Citrus Salad, Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
Second Course
Caersar Salad, House made Dressing, Parmesan, Garlic Crouton
Third Course
Skillet Seared 6oz Filet Mignon, Green Onion-Cheddar Twice Baked Potato, Grilled Asparagus, Roasted Tomato Reduction
Fourth Course
Tiramisu with Raspberry-Chocolate Syrup