Introduction: Mollydooker Wines was founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Sparky and Sarah Marquis — "Mollydooker" being old Australian slang for a left-handed person, a nod to the fact that Sarah and most of their team are left-handed. Established in McLaren Vale with 116 acres of estate vineyards, the winery built its international reputation on bold, generously ripened Shiraz evaluated through the Marquis Fruit Weight™ system, a proprietary measure of how completely velvety fruit sensation saturates the palate when tannin, alcohol, and acid are in balance. Carnival of Love has appeared three times in Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines in the World — a record for any wine — and remains one of Australia's most celebrated and recognizable single-vineyard Shiraz bottlings. The Love Series requires a Fruit Weight between 85% and 95%; the 2021 registers at 88%.

Terroir: Carnival of Love is sourced exclusively from the Gateway vineyard in McLaren Vale, one of Australia's most prized Shiraz sub-regions. McLaren Vale sits between the Fleurieu Peninsula's rolling hills and the Gulf St. Vincent, where warm, dry Mediterranean days are tempered by afternoon sea breezes off the coast and cool nights that preserve the natural acidity and aromatic freshness that prevents the region's characteristically ripe wines from collapsing into heaviness. The soils are predominantly iron-rich clay loam — dark, moisture-retentive, and mineral — contributing to the deep color, dense tannins, and concentrated dark fruit character that defines the region's benchmark Shiraz.

Appearance: Deep, saturated purple-black with extraordinary density and depth — the unmistakable calling card of McLaren Vale Shiraz at full expression.

Nose: Powerful yet lifted — ripe red cherry and blackberry open with energy, followed by Turkish delight, mocha, and chocolate cherry. A thread of spearmint and menthol adds aromatic brightness, while fresh plum, licorice, and clove weave through the dark fruit core. The 100% new American oak contributes vanilla and sandalwood that integrate seamlessly into the wine's generous fruit. Dense, inviting, and surprisingly refined given the wine's sheer scale.

Palate: Full-bodied, plush, and saturating — cherry and berry preserves dominate the entry, followed by chocolate, plum jam, and licorice building through the mid-palate. Spicy clove, cardamom, and spearmint add complexity and aromatic lift above the dark fruit core. The tannins are smooth and supple for a wine of this concentration, and the wine's hallmark Fruit Weight delivers exactly what the system promises: a velvety, mouth-coating fruit sensation that carries the 16.5% alcohol with surprising ease. Dense and opulent, yet never heavy.

Finish: Long, expressive, and chocolaty — sandalwood and baking spice sustaining a warm, generous close that lingers well past the fruit. The finish is clean and mouthwatering despite the wine's scale.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Grilled bone-in ribeye steak, braised short ribs with dark chocolate reduction, or slow-roasted lamb shoulder with spiced harissa
🥦 Vegetarian: Rich mushroom and lentil ragu on pappardelle, roasted eggplant with smoky spices, or a hearty vegetable tagine with preserved lemon
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Sharp aged cheddar, aged Gouda, dark chocolate, smoked almonds, and dried figs

Overall Impression: The 2021 Carnival of Love is a committed, uncompromising, and brilliantly executed expression of the McLaren Vale Shiraz philosophy — generous, opulent, and built for immediate gratification without sacrificing structure or longevity. It is not a wine for those seeking restraint, but for those who want bold Australian Shiraz done with real craft, it remains a benchmark of the style. Decant for at least 30 to 45 minutes before serving. Serve at 61–64°F; drink now through 2030.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 16.5%
Farming Practices: Estate-grown; 116 acres of McLaren Vale vineyards; single-vineyard Gateway selection; warm coastal Mediterranean climate; iron-rich clay loam soils
Producer Name:Mollydooker Wines (Sarah Marquis)
Old World / New World: New World
Country of Origin: Australia
Region:McLaren Vale, South Australia — Gateway Vineyard
Grape Varietals: Shiraz 100%
Vintage: 2021
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied, deeply concentrated, and barrel-fermented, with a lush, opulent McLaren Vale Shiraz profile shaped by single-vineyard estate fruit and 100% new American oak maturation. Built for immediate enjoyment and medium-term cellaring through 2030.
Winemaking Techniques: Single-vineyard selection from the Gateway vineyard; barrel fermented; matured in 100% new American oak barrels; Marquis Fruit Weight™ evaluation (registered 88% for 2021); approximately 4,319 cases produced
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Screwcap

Check out the press!

96 points, Owen Bargreen:
"Another sensational edition of the Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz from 2021 - and I am not the least surprised. I’ve had every edition of this wine for more than a decade. This bottling was as usual aged in all new American oak. On the nose this takes on dense black currant jelly, cigar box, and shades of creosote with Arabica bean. The palate is soft and inviting with its plush texture and seamless mouthfeel as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. A joy to drink now so young, this will easily cellar for another ten years and potentially more. But why wait? Drink 2023-2036."

93 points, Wine Spectator:
"This stylish and distinctive red is decidedly ripe, with notes of cherry and berry preserves at the core, accented by spearmint, menthol, spicy clove and cardamom hints that add complexity and aromatics. A chocolaty note gains momentum, as does a touch of sandalwood on the long, expressive finish."