Mollydooker Two Left Feet Shiraz Cabernet 2020

Mollydooker Two Left Feet Shiraz Cabernet 2020 is a full-bodied McLaren Vale red blend bottled at 16% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and draws on a three-grape blend — 69% Shiraz, 16% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon — that delivers the rich, fruit-forward intensity Mollydooker has built its reputation on since 2005.

Quick Facts: ABV: 16%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale, South Australia  |  Vintage: 2020  |  Producer: Mollydooker Wines

Production & Heritage

Mollydooker was founded in 2005 by winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis in McLaren Vale, one of South Australia's warmest and most celebrated grape-growing regions. The Two Left Feet 2020 was barrel fermented and matured in a mix of 97% American oak and 3% French oak — with 42% new barrels, 37% one-year-old, and 21% two-year-old barrels contributing layered complexity. Mollydooker uses nitrogen rather than sulfites as a natural preservative during bottling, which led to the creation of the now-famous "Mollydooker Shake" — a ritual of rolling the bottle end-over-end before opening to release dissolved nitrogen and allow the wine's full aromatic and flavor profile to emerge.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, followed by layers of vanilla, mixed spice, and a subtle floral lift of violet. After a few minutes in the glass, deeper notes of milk chocolate and cardamom develop.

Taste: The entry is lush and jammy, with ripe blackberry preserves and huckleberry flooding the palate immediately. Mid-palate, salted toffee and espresso tones appear alongside ripe fig, while the Merlot component adds a supple, juicy texture. The Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structural tannins and a tobacco-leaf accent that gives the blend its backbone.

Finish: Long and generous, with lingering liquorice, dark chocolate, and warm baking spice. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a velvety fruit weight that stays well past the final sip.

How to Drink Two Left Feet

At 16% ABV, this is a wine that rewards 20–30 minutes of breathing time after performing the Mollydooker Shake; serve at a cool room temperature of around 16–18°C to keep the alcohol integrated. A slight chill tames the richness without muting the fruit. Cocktail and mixed-drink pairings: a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) where the jammy weight holds up against carbonation; a Red Wine Sangria built with dark berries, brandy, and citrus that mirrors the wine's fruit-forward character; or a Mulled Wine in cooler months, where the existing spice notes make it a natural foundation.

Best For

• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who gravitates toward bold, fruit-driven Australian styles
• Weekend barbecues featuring smoked brisket, lamb ribs, or charred burgers
• Introducing someone to McLaren Vale's signature richness and generosity
• Building a cellar of high-scoring Australian reds at accessible price points

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Two Left Feet taste like? Two Left Feet 2020 delivers ripe, jammy blackberry and dark cherry flavors wrapped in salted toffee, espresso, and vanilla from extensive American oak aging. It finishes long with liquorice, chocolate, and warm spice on a full-bodied, velvety frame.

How does Two Left Feet compare to Mollydooker The Boxer? The Boxer is a 100% Shiraz, while Two Left Feet adds 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, giving it more structural tannin and a broader flavor spectrum. Many Mollydooker drinkers consider Two Left Feet the more complex and complete wine of the two.

Is Two Left Feet good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it is built for drinking on its own, particularly after a brief decant or the recommended Mollydooker Shake to release dissolved nitrogen and reveal the full aromatic profile. The ripe fruit and balanced tannins make it immediately approachable without food.

Where is Two Left Feet made? Two Left Feet is produced by Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale, South Australia, a warm-climate region known for producing concentrated, full-bodied Shiraz and red blends. The winery was established in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis.

What foods pair well with Two Left Feet? Slow-smoked beef brisket complements the wine's dark fruit and toffee notes; aged cheddar mirrors its richness; lamb shoulder with rosemary echoes the herbal undertones; dark chocolate desserts amplify the cocoa finish; and spice-rubbed pork belly stands up to the wine's power without being overwhelmed.

What sizes does Two Left Feet come in? The Two Left Feet 2020 is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Two Left Feet worth the price? Two Left Feet positions as a mid-range expression within the Mollydooker portfolio, sitting below flagship wines like The Velvet Glove while delivering 90-point quality and serious oak treatment — making it a strong value in the full-bodied Australian red category.

Why Two Left Feet?

The 2020 vintage represents a textbook example of what McLaren Vale does best: bold, unapologetically ripe red wine with genuine complexity underneath the fruit. The specific barrel program — nearly all American oak across three different age tiers — builds layers of vanilla, toffee, and spice without bulldozing the Shiraz-led core. The 90-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate confirms this vintage delivers at a level well above its price tier. For drinkers who want the intensity and generosity of a premium Australian red without crossing into ultra-premium territory, Two Left Feet 2020 fills that gap convincingly.