Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2020

Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2020 is a full-bodied, 100% Shiraz from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek, South Australia, bottled at a commanding 16.5% ABV (750ml). This vintage earned 93 points from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Lisa Perrotti-Brown) and Wine Spectator, the latter calling it "appealingly dense and toothsome" — a fitting summary of one of Australia's most unabashedly bold reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: 16.5%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale & Langhorne Creek, South Australia  |  Varietal: 100% Shiraz  |  Producer: Mollydooker Wines

Production & Heritage

Mollydooker Wines, founded by husband-and-wife winemakers Sparky and Sarah Marquis, has built a devoted following for its intensely concentrated, fruit-forward Australian reds. Blue Eyed Boy undergoes barrel fermentation and aging in 100% American oak — approximately 54% new barrels and 46% one-year-old barrels — which drives a generous oak profile of vanilla, coconut, and toasted spice. A unique production detail distinguishes every Mollydooker bottling: wines are sealed under nitrogen rather than relying on additional sulfites to preserve freshness, a technique that requires the proprietary "Mollydooker Shake" — vigorously inverting and shaking the bottle for five seconds before opening to release trapped dissolved gases and allow the wine's full aromatic range to emerge.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Vibrant blueberry and dark plum dominate the nose, with layers of toasted coconut, chocolate-coated raspberry, and resinous char building underneath. Star anise and a hint of roasted espresso add aromatic depth as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is immediately dense and generous, coating the palate with ripe black cherry, blueberry preserves, and raspberry compote. At mid-palate, coffee, vanilla cream, and licorice spice emerge, supported by the richly integrated American oak. The texture is thick and unctuous — unmistakably full-throttle in style, with inky purple concentration that fills every corner of the mouth.

Finish: Long and warm, with bittersweet chocolate and espresso lingering alongside soft tannins. A persistent thread of dark berry fruit and licorice holds steady well after the final sip.

How to Drink Blue Eyed Boy

This is a wine built for serious sipping. Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F), and always perform the Mollydooker Shake before uncorking to unlock the full aromatic profile. Decanting for 30–60 minutes further rewards patience, softening the tannin structure and allowing secondary aromas to unfold. While not a traditional cocktail wine, Blue Eyed Boy pairs brilliantly with rich food rather than mixed drinks — think of it as a statement pour alongside a composed plate rather than a base for Sangria or wine spritzers.

Best For

• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring smoked lamb or beef ribs
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who gravitates toward big, bold Australian Shiraz
• Opening at a dinner party alongside a slow-braised short rib course
• Adding to a cellar collection of high-scoring McLaren Vale Shiraz vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blue Eyed Boy taste like? Blue Eyed Boy delivers an intensely concentrated profile of blueberry preserves, dark chocolate, espresso, and licorice spice, wrapped in a thick, unctuous texture with prominent vanilla and toasted coconut from American oak aging.

How does Blue Eyed Boy compare to Penfolds Shiraz? Both are benchmark Australian Shiraz producers, but Blue Eyed Boy leans into a more overtly fruit-dense, higher-alcohol style (16.5% ABV) with heavy American oak influence, whereas mainstream Penfolds Shiraz bottlings such as Bin 28 or Bin 128 typically present more moderate alcohol and a greater emphasis on French oak or mixed oak regimes.

Is Blue Eyed Boy good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 93 points from two major critics, this wine is designed to stand on its own, ideally after a brief decant and the recommended Mollydooker Shake to release trapped nitrogen and fully express its aromatic complexity.

Where is Blue Eyed Boy made? Blue Eyed Boy is produced by Mollydooker Wines in South Australia, sourcing Shiraz fruit from both McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek — two of the state's most respected warm-climate red wine regions.

What foods pair well with Blue Eyed Boy? Slow-smoked lamb shoulder complements the wine's licorice and dark berry intensity. Chargrilled beef ribeye matches its full-bodied weight. Dark chocolate desserts echo the bittersweet cocoa tones. Aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar stand up to the bold tannins. Barbecue-glazed pork belly mirrors the wine's sweet spice and vanilla oak character.

What sizes does Blue Eyed Boy come in? The standard release of Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz 2020 is available in the 750ml bottle format.

Is Blue Eyed Boy worth the price? Blue Eyed Boy positions as a premium Australian Shiraz expression, and dual 93-point scores from Wine Spectator and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate place it among the better-valued wines at its tier — delivering concentration and complexity that rival some bottlings at significantly higher price points.

Why Blue Eyed Boy?

The 2020 vintage of Blue Eyed Boy represents Mollydooker's signature philosophy taken to its fullest expression: maximum fruit extraction, bold American oak integration, and a unique nitrogen-bottling process that no other major Australian producer employs. Earning 93 points from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator confirms this is not merely big wine for bigness' sake — there is genuine balance and layered complexity within the density. The Mollydooker Shake alone makes it a memorable conversation piece at any table, while the wine itself delivers the kind of unapologetic, full-throttle McLaren Vale Shiraz that has earned the label a global cult following.