Australian wines had a huge push a few years back but less and less are currently imported to the US due to high shipping costs. This has made it more difficult to find world class Shiraz.
Mollydooker is located in McLaren Vale, Australia and is a winery that focuses on Shiraz. They have many tiers to their wine and their top tier of Shiraz, The Velvet Glove, just scored a 98 from Wine Spectator. This wine is bold and complex beyond belief and I had a chance to try it at the Taste of Tulalip last year. Due to the 200 dollar price tag, its available to few.
But there is a more affordable option by Mollydooker. The Blue Eyed Boy by Mollydooker is a world class concentrated and inky Shiraz that has remarkable consistency, despite major vintage variation. The 2011 vintage in South Australia was challenging at best. They even experienced torrential rains at harvest. Despite the challenges of the 2011 growing season, Mollydooker's Blue Eyed Boy received 92 points from Wine Spectator. The Blue Eyed Boy is so exceptional that from 2006-2012 it received Wine Spectator scores of 92, 92, 91, 92 and 92. I have tried the 2007-2011 vintages and have found them to be more in the range of 94 points, depending on the vintage.
The 2009, which I rated 94 points, was an inky and hedonistic effort. It was a delicious fruit bomb but was layered and complex with blackberry, cherry pie and coffee, even chocolate flavors. Bottom line, if you have the chance to purchase The Blue Eyed Boy by Mollydooker, be sure to pick one up and save it for a special occasion. ‪#‎mollydooker‬