One of the outstanding wineries out of Australia, Mollydooker achieved an unprecedented amount of fame in a very short amount of time. Founded in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis, Mollydooker was met with incredible critical acclaim immediately as their first vintage wine, the 2006 ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz was immediately awarded 99 points by Robert Parker and was sold out in five days. The following year, their Velvet Glove Shiraz became their fifth wine to be awarded 99 points by The Wine Advocate and the Carnival of Love has since been listed in Wine Spectator’s ‘Top Ten wines in the World’ three times. This is just an unprecedented amount of success for a new winery.
I was first introduced to these wines in their 2007 vintage as word traveled very quickly to the United States. The combination of weight and acidity in the wines was quite thrilling. I was also enticed with the consistency of their wines, regardless of vintage. For instance, 2011 was a highly challenging vintage in South Australia and the wines made by Mollydooker that vintage were some of the finest produced in the region. In 2017 Sarah took sole control of the winery and now has her son, Luke, the ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ is involved in the winery as well. I sat down with Sarah earlier this year for an interview and she was a delight to talk wine with as she was recently named 2018 Owner/Operator of the Year at the Australian Women in Wine Awards.
I had the chance to review the new run of releases by Mollydooker and was really impressed with the consistency of the lineup. Following up the gorgeous ’16 bottling, the 2017 Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz (WWB, 96) is a dense and decadent treat, with great acidity and mid-palate weight. This is a must for any serious collector of Australian Shiraz. Even better was their flagship wine, the 2017 Mollydooker ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz (WWB, 98) which is a wine that flirts with perfection and is one of the best wines that I have sampled in the past year. I was just blown away with how this wine shows in its youth. Simply put, it is irresistible now and will only get better with a little bottle age. Learn more about this inspired Australian winery at https://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Mollydooker.
2017 Mollydooker ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ Shiraz- This new release Shiraz opens with a rich bouquet of coffee grounds, black cherry syrup and suggestions of black tea with milk chocolate that fill the nose. The palate has a good combination of richness and freshness with black tea, cassis, mocha and graphite that combine marvelously on the palate. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Mollydooker ‘Gigglepot’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Gigglepot’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows beautiful range on the nose from red bell pepper to anise to cassis and Turkish coffee aromas that build in the glass. The palate exudes class with black tea, blackberry cordial, mocha and bell pepper flavors that all connect. Seductive and showing really good richness this gorgeous wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Mollydooker ‘Enchanted Path’ Red Wine-The ‘Enchanted Path’ is a seriously good blend of 72% Shiraz with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is ultra-rich with intense black and blue fruits that collide with minerals and coffee grounds on the nose, The palate shows off a rich and plush texture as black tea, mocha, creosote and blackberry compote with shades of blueberry pie all connect together once in the mouth. A show-stopper, this will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 95
2017 Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz- The 2017 ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz shows off an exotic, highly intoxicating nose of red rose petals alongside rich dark fruits with blueberry compote, mocha and Asian spices that fill the glass The palate is exceedingly plush with ripe blueberry pie, anise, exotic spices and shades of tar that all collide in the glass. Decadent and simply marvelous in its youth, this will continue to evolve well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 96
2017 Mollydooker ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz- The 2017 ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz is a simply magical new wine by Mollydooker. The nose is incredibly perfumed showing roasted dates, Turkish coffee, sweet pipe tobacco and blueberry compote that all sing in harmony together in the glass. The palate is deep and highly viscous, showing an incredible texture yet maintaining wonderful tension in the glass. Blueberry pie, mocha, Turkish coffee and earthy undertones with minerals all shine on the palate. Incredible now in its youth, this will evolve well for two decades. Drink 2019-2039- 98