Technical Analysis
The grapes for The Scooter Merlot come from Mollydooker's sustainably-grown Long Gully Road blocks in McLaren Vale. Excitingly, every year they increase in quality.
Tasting note
This vibrant and lifted Merlot exudes rich plum flavours with undertones of both red and dark fruit and a soft touch of oak. As the wine develops in the glass, layers of chocolate, nutmeg and cinnamon spice come to the fore. The soft mouth-feel and tannin integration allow for all the beautiful flavours of this wine to shine through
Vinification details
Following fermentation on skins, the fruit was then barrel fermented to ensure that the beautiful oak flavours are integrated into the wine. Subsequent maturation in oak has resulted in full-bodied, vibrant, flavourful wines. The Scooter Merlot 2021 was both fermented and matured in 96% American and 4% French oak barrels, of which 28% were new, 31% one year old and 41% were two years old.
Technical Analysis
The grapes for The Scooter Merlot come from Mollydooker's sustainably-grown Long Gully Road blocks in McLaren Vale. Excitingly, every year they increase in quality.
Tasting note
Fragrant and silky smooth, the 2019 Scooter charms with a nose full of cherries and forest fruits. Fresh plum and sweet berries delight on your first sip, before giving way to spices reminiscent of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Vintage conditions
Early spring saw perfect conditions for fruit growth, hinting at a promising start for the 2019 vintage. Budburst occurred in the beginning of September and accelerated through October. Some vines became vulnerable during the November flowering season as a result of cooler, stormy conditions, but as the weather warmed up, ripening of the fruit continued at a nice, steady pace into summer. Despite a few hot spells of weather in January – with South Australia breaking a number of heat records around the Australia Day holiday – temperatures did eventually stabilise, resulting in ideal growing conditions for the fruit to achieve its optimum colour and flavour.
Vinification details
Picking began at the end of February, and the vintage team worked intensively to ensure all fruit was picked within the perfect window of ripeness. Following fermentation on skins, the fruit was then barrel fermented to ensure that the beautiful oak flavours are integrated into the wine. Subsequent maturation in oak has resulted in full-bodied, vibrant, flavourful wines that are truly demonstrative of the 2019 vintage. The Scooter Merlot 2019 was both fermented and matured in 93% American/7% French oak barrels, of which 33% were new, 44% one year old and 23% were two years old.
Technical Analysis
The grapes for The Scooter Merlot come from Mollydooker's sustainably-grown Long Gully Road blocks in McLaren Vale. Excitingly, every year they increase in quality.
Tasting note
Ruby in colour with a bright cherry and violet nose. Flavours of raspberries and fresh plum on the palate, with soft tannins and further notes of mocha and dried herbs.
Vintage conditions
Starting in early March, the 2018 vintage can be defined by the even ripening that led to good fermentation conditions. The grapes entered the winery at a steady pace with excellent colour and breadth of flavour evident as soon as the fruit was first crushed. Ferments were easily controlled allowing efficient extraction of tannins and flavours from the skins during pumpovers. Malolactic fermentation moved quickly during the oak maturation phase to reveal the intensity and depth of character of the wines which will be the hallmark of 2018 vintage.
Technical Analysis
The grapes for The Scooter Merlot come from Mollydooker's sustainably-grown Long Gully Road blocks in McLaren Vale. Excitingly, every year they increase in quality.
Tasting note
Fragrant and silky smooth, the 2017 Scooter charms the senses with a nose full of cherries and forest fruits. Flavours of fresh plum and sweet berries give way to spices reminiscent of nutmeg and cinnamon. Finely poised and balanced, the delicate tannins allow complexity.
Vintage conditions
The McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek regions experienced a 31% increase in rainfall during July. These cold, wet conditions continued through to early summer, becoming the defining features of the 2017 vintage. Budburst and flowering were both delayed, resulting in a later harvest than normal. In the lead up to harvest there were concerns of mildew and botrytis affecting the grape quality, however the estate’s open canopies allowed air flow and perfect summer temperatures, meaning that their grapes were not affected.
Vinification details
The grapes were machine harvested during the day and at ideal flavour ripeness before being crushed and destemmed. Partially fermented on skins in tank with pumpovers every four hours, fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and oak hogshead barrels (92% American, 8% French) of which 20% new, 50% one year old and 30% two year old, where the wine was matured for 8-9 months. Suitable for vegans.
Technical Analysis
The grapes for The Scooter Merlot come from Mollydooker's sustainably-grown Long Gully Road blocks in McLaren Vale. Excitingly, every year they increase in quality.
Tasting note
Rich plum flavours with undertones of both red and dark fruits and a soft touch of oak. As the wine develops in the glass, layers of chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom spices come to the fore. The soft mouthfeel and tannin integration allow the flavours to shine through.
Vintage conditions
2016 was Mollydooker’s biggest vintage to date, with a total of 1,437 tons of grapes crushed and put into barrel. Budburst was a week later than usual, but veraison and harvesting were generally right on cue, despite several heat spikes (up to 42°C/107°F) early in the season.
Vinification details
The grapes were machine harvested during the day and at ideal flavour ripeness before being crushed and destemmed. Partially fermented on skins in tank with pumpovers every four hours, fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks and oak hogshead barrels (96% American, 4% French) of which 19% new, 41% one year old and 40% two year old, where the wine was matured for 8-9 months.
