Mention their name and it will ignite passions and opinions like no other winery. Everyone has an opinion about their wines. Some love them and think they are great value but on the other side of the divide, there are those that think their wines are the greatest abominations ever to be called wine. Such is the passion this winery generates.

They have been interview before and bits of their story have been told, but this is the most complete and in-depth account of their enchanted path through the wine business, although as the story shows, it has not always been an easy journey. I asked the hard questions, the personal ones, and got frank and honest answers. The questions that had never been asked before. The story also includes the reasons behind the way they make their wine, and those methods are both unique and controversial.

It also includes tasting notes of their about to be released wines.

Will history show these winemakers to be revolutionary visionaries or heretics? I don't know, but getting their story was fascinating.

It can be found here.

There's no question that they are unique wines. Marquis Philips wines are a greater value. But they are making so many spinoff wines that are so similar in style it's like a broken record. Plus, you can't pair them with food.

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
Plus, you can't pair them with food.

Wots da matta? Doesn't you local butcher sell brontosaurs steaks for you to bbq?

TORB,
'Hell of a read; thanks! I honestly didn't finish it before my curiosity to see what you wrote about Noon took over. 'Hell of a read there too (which I did finish)! I had no idea of the resource you provide for winelovers like myself, who crave so much more than 'this wine tastes like raspberries, and I give it 95 points. Go buy it if you can.' Thanks for what you do. You can count me as a new fan!

Was a great thread you put together TORB. Their wines sell out quickly here in Mpls and I have tried a few of the Mollydooker. I'm kind of in the middle. I like their wines but some of the higher end ones I think are overpriced.

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
Plus, you can't pair them with food.

quote:

"Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

so, theoritically speaking, if i walk up to Jesus with a Mollydooker in hand, i actually *would* go hungry?

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
so, theoritically speaking, if i walk up to Jesus with a Mollydooker in hand, i actually *would* go hungry?

I don't believe in arguing about religion and don't want to get this thread locked, however in the spirit (bad pun intended on two fronts) I will respond.

TBird...... mate you are dead wrong. You would not go hungry as half the wine lovers of the world think this wine is food.

yeah, but 1/2 of them are stupid too.

quote:

Originally posted by TORB:
You would not go hungry as half the wine lovers of the world think this wine is food.

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
yeah, but 1/2 of them are stupid too.

quote:

Originally posted by TORB:
You would not go hungry as half the wine lovers of the world think this wine is food.

leaving 1/4 of a bottle of mollydooker for me.

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
yeah, but 1/2 of them are stupid too.

quote:

Originally posted by TORB:
You would not go hungry as half the wine lovers of the world think this wine is food.

leaving 1/4 of a bottle of mollydooker for me.

but remember there's a 1/2 chance it's corked, so you really only have 1/8 of a bottle.

quote:

Originally posted by Vinyrd Skynyrd:
but remember there's a 1/2 chance it's corked, so you really only have 1/8 of a bottle.

Only they are sealed with a screwcap not a cork, so they may be screwed, but they wont be corked!

quote:

Originally posted by TORB:

quote:

Originally posted by Vinyrd Skynyrd:
but remember there's a 1/2 chance it's corked, so you really only have 1/8 of a bottle.

Only they are sealed with a screwcap not a cork, so they may be screwed, but they wont be corked!

Well even a screwcap doesn't guarantee there is no TCA in the wine.

Only that it [almost] certainly didn't come from its closure.

shameless plug This tuesday august 19th Sparky is pouring all the 2007's at an offline at Mac's steakhouse in huntington, cost is 15 per person.

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
Plus, you can't pair them with food.

quote:

"Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

so, theoritically speaking, if i walk up to Jesus with a Mollydooker in hand, i actually *would* go hungry?

*Turns the other cheek*

that's so big of you. no more *TOOL* comments?

our little berno is allll grown up now. suppose we should tell him about the easter bunny?

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
*Turns the other cheek*

Frankly I am surprised this did not generate more serious discussion.

Anyone wish to comment about if they have changed their minds or attitude towards Mollydooker after reading the story.

Great story, but that alone doesn't make me want to drink more of their wine.

OK, it took two sittings, but I finally got through it. 'Lots of interesting things I wouldn't have known/guessed otherwise: Sparky's early interest/work on Pinot Noir and canopy management, the 'near misses' which could have ruined their business... more than once, etc. But a couple things stood out to me that I think may warrant attention/discussion.

1) For all the talk about the Marquis' wines being over-the-top, especially in terms of high alcohol, Sparky's own words remind me of Vincent Avril's (known for his finesse in CdP) when talking about the necessity of allowing alcohol to rise a bit in order to allow full development of the flavors. If trusting your palate and what you taste from the grapes/seeds/wine over the technical numbers is heretical, I say, "Long live the heretics!"

2) I was pleased to hear that Sparky didn't have an easy answer when you probed about how he felt about the controversy surrounding his wines. His eventual response: "“What we have done has challenged the establishment. (Long Pause) But from my heart, I believe that was never our intention... We have never tried to be anything other than what we are!" Perfect. It reminds me of what Claude Debussy said when pressed on the same issue about his music: “I am neither revolutionizing nor demolishing anything. I am quietly forging my own way ahead, without a trace of propaganda for my ideas – as is proper for a revolutionary." True kindness acts without thinking of kindness, and a revolutionary acts without thinking of revolution; they simply follow their own muse. Who could blame Sparky for that?

Ironically, Mark Spitz was asked over four years ago what advice he would give to Michael Phelps. His reply: "Don't listen to the advice of guys like Mark Spitz." He continued along the line: do your own thing, and don't let anybody sway you. 'Seems like it's worked out well for the Olympian, no? I, for one, hope Sarah and Sparky just keep on keepin' on.

I have enjoyed quite a few Mollydookers. But to me, they are simply cocktail wines....

Perhaps Sparky and Sarah's story will be the next winegeek movie,it would certainly make an interesting one, I think.

went to to he mollydooker tasting last night with GregT, Tbird, and different dave.

A great evening, compared all the Shiraz's including the "the boxer", "blue eyed boy", "carnival of love", and finally the "velvet glove"

standouts are the "enchanted path", "the boxer", and "blue eyed boy"

Sparky was a great host, learned a ton from him
(found the tidbits about why the back label was 90 degress rotated, etc to be quite ingenious, etc)
I thought all the wines showed well, the 2007 vintage is better than the 06 imho.
While I love the velvet glove I think it is a bit pricey when compared to the other shiraz's, much better value for you $ on the other bottles.
It was fun, thanks to all who made the trip.

Agree about the Velvet GLove....

BTW, Sparky did mention that he and the wife had either just purchased or planted some property for an estate wine..Never knew that all the grapes were sourced....