Wine of the Week: Mollydooker redux

 

"I told you so (well, sort of)" edition...

I should point out to begin with that I don't (purely) go by Parker scores when buying wines, but I do like me some big Aussie Shiraz, as does Mr. Parker. So when something is released that seems like it might garner a big score from the Wine Advocate, I snap some up as quickly as possible, knowing that the wine will become unavailable should it hit the jackpot.

Case in point? Mollydooker. When I first published my 'Wine(ry) of the Week' article on the new Marquis venture, the Boxer and Two Left Feet ($20 each) had already scored high and were available, though not in huge supply. Soon after, the prices rose and they became impossible to find except on the secondary market.

Parker telegraphed the likelihood of high scores for the Mollydooker premium line ($60+ per bottle) in his suggestion to look for their scores in an upcoming issue of the Wine Advocate, and as soon as they became available I snapped a couple up (in small supply, considering the expense). I did this not so much as an investment, but because I hate the thought of not being able to try something -- and I know that high scores from Parker can easily make wines unavailable. Hence, the preemptive purchase.

Literally one day after I acquired my bottles, the wines were reviewed by Parker online and in issue #167 of the Wine Advocate. Lo and behold, the Carnival of Love Shiraz received a whopping 99 points. I did my best to track down a few additional bottles for some family members, and was lucky to find a handful still available at retail prices.

Now, just one week later, the only place to find this wine is on the secondary market, at auction sites such as WineBid.com or Winecommune.com. As you can see from the snapshots of current auctions (closing imminently), it's selling for more than double, sometimes triple, the original retail cost. Crazy what people will do for something they haven't even tasted.

My advice? Buy early, before scores have been released -- and buy based on your taste. It isn't any sort of prize to have a high scoring wine that you either likely won't enjoy (based upon your palate), or don't plan to drink as often people are afraid to open their trophy bottles. But it's a shame to have ridiculous scoring systems dictate what is or isn't available to you to try. The only way around it is to trust your instincts (as well as to trust the Dabbler's occasional picks) and buy accordingly.

FYI, here is Parker's actual review of Carnival of Love, which I am not so sure makes it sound appetizing (aside from the high score):

"Amazingly, the 2005 Carnival of Love ratchets up the level of quality. A selection of the finest Shiraz barrels, it boasts an extraordinary black/purple color, gorgeous notes of blackberry liqueur, camphor, and smoke, and an enormous voluptuousness that would make even Pamela Anderson jealous. Great purity, symmetry, and harmony as well as remarkable balance for such a rich, intense wine, as it sat in the glass espresso, vanillin, white chocolate, and additional black fruits also emerged. It should drink well for a decade, although the winemakers suggest it be consumed over the next four years. If you are wondering what to serve with this beauty, Sarah and Sparky Marquis recommend such fish as marlin, hammerhead, and great white shark, white meats such as snake and crocodile, red meats such as emu and kangaroo, and aged wallaby mild cheese. Yum!

Readers should not forget the value-priced Mollydooker cuvees from Sarah and Sparky Marquis that I recommended in issue #165 (6-30-06), including the 2006 Verdelho The Violinist ($15; 92 points), 2005 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Two Left Feet ($20; 94 points), 2005 Cabernet The Maitre d’ ($20; 92 points), and 2005 Shiraz The Boxer ($20; 95 points)." --RP, 99 points, drink 2006-2016, est. cost $60

Great white shark as a good food pairing for a 16.5% alc. by volume red wine? References to Pamela Anderson? That, to me, says 'ewww' more than it says 'yum'.

Come to think of it, if any of you are dying to try the Mollydooker Carnival of Love, and can't find it anywhere...the Dabbler just might be able to locate you a bottle or two at a very reasonable $175 per bottle, plus shipping and handling. Just let me know...

Coming soon, an article on wines that scored less than 90 by Parker or the Wine Spectator that deserve a try.