Marquis Phillips “9” McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007 with BBQ Ribss
Linda prepared a delicious meal of BBQ Ribs with baked potatoes, sweet potatoes and sweet corn, for us, and to take to an ailing friend. I pulled from the cellar this big bold aged Aussie Shiraz for a wine accompaniment.
We loved the Marquis Philips portfolio of wines and wrote about them extensively in these pages, and of course, today, they’re now the widely popular Mollydooker brand.
While Marquis Philips wines were known for their eye-catching, often provocative labels such as the ‘roogle’, a cross between an eagle and kangaroo - representing the Aussie, American partnership, Mollydooker went on to create their own portfolio is whimsical eye-catching labels.
“Marquis Philips is the most exciting wine project to emerge from Australia, and perhaps the New World, in the last year. Run, don't walk to a client of The Grateful Palate and secure as much as you can of these wines. This must be the most exciting development that has occurred in the Southern Hemisphere over the last several years. Marquis Philips is a partnership between highly talented winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis and their American importer, Dan Philips (of The Grateful Palate). I favorably reviewed the stunning debut values of the Marquis Philips range in the 2000 vintage. Remarkably, the 2001s are even more amazing, and probably for the price, the greatest red wine values in existence ... anywhere!
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #143 (Oct 2002)”
“The highly respected South Australian viticulturists/winemakers, Sarah and Sparky Marquis, in partnership with their importer, Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate, successfully launched the inexpensive line of Marquis Philips wines several years ago, creating something of a monster because of their enormous crowd appeal.” Wine Advocate, Review Date: 02/2013
Robert Parker wrote about this label - Perhaps another way to think of these wines is that they are XXX-rated stuff. They’re not exactly wines for those wanting finesse, lightness, restraint, or intellectual challenge. These are totally decadent homages to joy and yumminess. Or. As a friend of mine said, they are ‘fragrantly delicious.'"
RM 90, reduced from previous 92 points. WA 91 points.
“The highly respected South Australian viticulturists/winemakers, Sarah and Sparky Marquis, in partnership with their importer, Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate, successfully launched the inexpensive line of Marquis Philips wines several years ago, creating something of a monster because of their enormous crowd appeal.” Wine Advocate, Review Date: 02/2013
Robert Parker wrote about this label - Perhaps another way to think of these wines is that they are XXX-rated stuff. They’re not exactly wines for those wanting finesse, lightness, restraint, or intellectual challenge. These are totally decadent homages to joy and yumminess. Or. As a friend of mine said, they are ‘fragrantly delicious.'"
Because of Marquis Philips’ tumultuous history, the affordable wines became highly sought-after and difficult to obtain. We acquired several vintages of this, and their premium flagship label at several auctions. We still hold three bottles of the ten we acquired of this release, our last remaining holdings having consumed all of our other six previous vintage releases.
Just recently, we drank the last remaining bottle of their ultra-premium flagship “Integrity” label - featured in this blogpost - Premium Napa and Aussie Reds for Family Birthday Celebration.
Of course, the Sparky and Sarah Marquis saga continued and became more interesting. The turmoil in the house of Philips continued as Sarah and Sparky then had a falling out of their own, eventually divorcing, and winemaker Sarah bought out Sparky.
Sparky, it turns out was a friend of Aussie colleague Peter F, my Australian employee representative region manager in Adelaide, South Central Australia, when I was still running a global software company! I had plans to visit Aussie wine country and meet Sparky, then Covid, and I never made the trip.
Marquis Philips '9' South Australia, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007
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| Marquis Philips 9 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005 shown |
At seventeen years, the important fill level and cork were in ideal condition, as were the foil and label, as shown. This may be at the end of its prime drinking window as it’s starting to show its age, slightly, and should be consumed over the next few years.
Consistent with earlier tasting notes, except starting to sho9w its age a bit, taking on a bit of slight camphor alcohol sharpness on the finish … ,
Deep dark opaque purple color - full-bodied, thick and firm mouthfeel, blueberry, blackberry, spice, hints of mineral, tea and tobacco on a oaky full tannin finish.
RM 90, reduced from previous 92 points. WA 91 points.
