Matured in American oak, 57% new, the 2009 The Boxer Shiraz has a very deep garnet-purple color and intense blackberry, licorice, tar, menthol and cocoa bean aromas. Very full-bodied and with medium-firm fine-grained tannins and generous, warm-berry flesh, it is nicely balanced by crisp acid, finishing long and a little hot. Drink this one now to 2016.

Following a challenging 2008 vintage when no Velvet Glove, Gigglepot, Blue Eyed Boy, Enchanted Path or Carnival of Love wines were made, Sparky Marquis and his inimitable Mollydooker line-up is back to firing on all cylinders in 2009. Mollydooker is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis. This is their fifth vintage, and a return back to more generous production year allowing the bottling of all tiers levels of their Shiraz production which is their flagship varietal. Mollydooker is divided into four tiers beginning with the Lefty Series, line-priced at $25. Next up the ladder is the Party Series priced at $55, followed by two wines comprising the Love Series priced at $80. At the top of the pyramid is one wine, The Velvet Glove, priced at $185. JAY MILLER FEB 2009 ISSUE OF THE WINE ADVOCATE