Mollydooker Maitre D Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Mollydooker Maitre D Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a full-bodied, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale, South Australia, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The Maitre D has earned recognition across the Mollydooker portfolio as a richly concentrated expression of South Australian Cabernet, and the brand's earlier vintages were named among The Wine Advocate's top-ranked best-value red wines in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale, South Australia  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Producer: Mollydooker Wines

Production & Heritage

Mollydooker Wines is a family-owned and operated winery based in McLaren Vale, one of South Australia's most respected red-wine regions. Founded by husband-and-wife team Sparky and Sarah Marquis — both experienced Australian winemakers — Mollydooker has earned a reputation for bold, fruit-forward wines produced through meticulous vineyard selection and innovative cellar techniques. A defining production detail is the trademarked "Mollydooker Shake": wines are bottled under nitrogen gas to minimize sulfite use and preserve freshness, and consumers are encouraged to vigorously shake the sealed bottle before opening to release the compressed nitrogen and restore the wine's full aromatic and flavor profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark fruits — blackberry and ripe cherry — layered with tobacco leaf and milk chocolate. Deeper inhalation reveals roasted espresso bean and subtle herbaceous undertones.

Taste: On the palate, the entry is juicy with dark cherry and plum, building quickly into a dense mid-palate of roasted dates, menthol, and milk-chocolate-covered black fruit. Licorice and cigar box flavors emerge through the middle, balanced by a persistent thread of sweet fruit that keeps the wine from tipping into heaviness.

Finish: The finish is long, smooth, and gently tannic, with mocha cream, espresso, and lingering blackberry trailing off slowly. A soft oak spice sits underneath, adding structure without overwhelming the fruit.

How to Drink Maitre D 2019

This is a wine best served at around 16–18°C (60–65°F) in a large-bowled Cabernet glass. Decanting for 30–45 minutes before serving will open up the layered aromatics, though a vigorous "Mollydooker Shake" of the sealed bottle is recommended by the winery as a first step. Given its 15% ABV and rich concentration, the Maitre D pairs naturally with hearty dishes — think chargrilled lamb cutlets with rosemary, slow-braised beef short ribs, or aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano. It also works beautifully alongside dark-chocolate-based desserts, where the wine's own cocoa tones create a seamless pairing.

Best For

• Weeknight indulgence with a grilled steak dinner
• Gifting a fan of bold Australian reds
• Building a cellar of approachable McLaren Vale Cabernets
• Hosting a comparative tasting of South Australian wine regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maitre D 2019 taste like? The dominant profile centers on ripe dark fruits — blackberry, cherry, and plum — woven with milk chocolate, espresso, tobacco, and a touch of menthol. It is full-bodied and smooth, with soft tannins and a long mocha-laced finish.

How does Maitre D compare to Mollydooker The Boxer? The Boxer is a Shiraz-dominant blend emphasizing bright, jammy red fruit and spice, while the Maitre D is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with a darker, more structured profile built around chocolate, tobacco, and cassis. Both sit at a similar tier within the Mollydooker range, but the Maitre D leans toward greater tannic structure and savory complexity.

Is Maitre D 2019 good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its smooth tannins, layered dark-fruit flavors, and long finish make it a satisfying standalone pour, especially after decanting for 30 minutes or applying the recommended Mollydooker Shake.

Where is Maitre D made? Maitre D is produced by Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale, a warm-climate wine region south of Adelaide in South Australia, renowned for producing rich, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

What foods pair well with Maitre D 2019? Chargrilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal and dark-fruit notes. Slow-cooked beef short ribs mirror its richness. Aged cheddar or Parmigiano-Reggiano echo the savory, umami depth. Dark chocolate desserts align with the mocha and espresso tones. Smoky barbecue brisket matches the wine's tobacco and spice undertones.

What sizes does Maitre D come in? The Mollydooker Maitre D Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Maitre D 2019 worth the price? The Maitre D positions as an accessible, mid-range expression within the Mollydooker lineup, sitting below the winery's flagship bottlings like Carnival of Love and Velvet Glove. For a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale with this level of concentration and the brand's distinctive winemaking approach, it represents strong value in the Australian Cabernet category.

Why Maitre D 2019?

What separates the Maitre D from the crowded field of Australian Cabernets is Mollydooker's nitrogen-bottling process and the trademarked Shake — a genuine production innovation that directly impacts how the wine presents in the glass. The 2019 vintage from McLaren Vale benefited from a warm growing season that favored deep concentration in Cabernet Sauvignon, and the resulting wine delivers a layered, dark-fruited complexity at a generous 15% ABV without harshness. Sarah and Sparky Marquis have built Mollydooker's reputation on uncompromising fruit selection and bold winemaking, and the Maitre D embodies that philosophy in an accessible format. For drinkers who gravitate toward rich, chocolate-toned Cabernets with real depth, this is a reliable benchmark from one of South Australia's most distinctive producers.