2023 Mollydooker The Maitre D' Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Overview

The Maitre D' is Mollydooker's fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon, named after Sparky Marquis, who worked as a left-handed waiter while putting himself through winemaking college. The 2023 vintage delivers generous red and dark fruit with soft tannins, fragrant oak and the rich, silky texture associated with the Mollydooker style.

Vineyard

The fruit is sourced from vineyards across McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek, including Joppich, Coppermine Road, Long Gully Road, Ryan Road, Gateway, Karanto, Roscor and Home I Block.

Winemaking

The wine was barrel fermented and matured in 86% American oak and 14% French oak. The barrel mix comprised 33% new oak, 57% one-year-old oak and 10% two-year-old oak.

Mollydooker's Marquis Fruit Weight™ measures the proportion of the palate filled by rich, velvety fruit. The required range for the Lefty Series is 65–75%, with the 2023 The Maitre D' recording an actual Fruit Weight of 67%.

Producer Tasting Notes

“Vibrant and generous, the 2023 Maitre D’ is packed with juicy red fruit that dances across the palate. Blackberries, milk chocolate, and soft herbal notes create an enticing aromatic profile. Subtle tannins and fragrant oak provide a gentle backdrop, allowing flavours of plum, cigar box, and mocha cream to shine through. This combination imparts remarkable depth and finesse to the wine.”

Producer

Mollydooker Wines is a family-owned producer based in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Established in 2006 by Sarah Marquis, the winery is particularly known for generous, fruit-driven Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon with rich texture and approachable structure. The name “Mollydooker” is old Australian slang for a left-hander, reflecting Sarah Marquis herself.

Mollydooker works with vineyards across South Australia and places particular emphasis on fruit intensity and vineyard management. Individual vineyard parcels are handled separately before blending, with the aim of producing wines that emphasise fruit, richness and a soft, silky palate.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2023
• Producer: Mollydooker Wines
• Country: Australia
• Region: McLaren Vale & Langhorne Creek, South Australia
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Wine Style: Red Wine
• Sweetness: Dry
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Residual Sugar: 0.5g/L
• pH: 3.62
• Fermentation: Barrel fermented
• Maturation: 86% American oak and 14% French oak; 33% new, 57% one-year-old and 10% two-year-old barrels
• Fruit Weight: 67%