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
The 2023 Scooter is fragrant and silky smooth, enticing with a nose full of cherries and forest fruits. The first sip reveals fresh plum and sweet berries, followed by a gentle hint of nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Finely balanced with delicate tannins, the 2023 Scooter offers a refined complexity that makes this Merlot a true pleasure to enjoy.
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 2023 was both fermented and matured in 97% American and 3% French oak barrels, of which 26% were new, 47% one year old and 27% were two years old.
AWARDS
Wine Spectator: 90 pts
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 2022 Scooter charms the senses 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. Finely poised and balanced, the 2022 Scooter’s delicate tannins allow complexity, making this Merlot an absolute treat.
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 2022 was both fermented and matured in 97% American and 3% French oak barrels, of which 25% were new, 45% one year old and 30% 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
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.
