# Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz (2022)

- **Producer:** Mollydooker
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Shiraz
- **Region:** South Australia, Australia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.5%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, plum, blueberry, black pepper, liquorice, violet, vanilla, coconut, chocolate, coffee, smoke, tobacco, leather

## About this wine

Mollydooker was founded by Sarah and Sparky Marquis in 2005 in the heart of McLaren Vale, South Australia. The name 'Mollydooker' is Aussie slang for a left-handed person, a nod to the founders. 'Blue Eyed Boy' is named after Sarah and Sparky's son, Luke. The estate is renowned for its unique viticultural practices, including the Marquis Vineyard Watering Programme, which focuses on nurturing the vines to achieve optimal fruit weight. This wine represents the classic, unapologetically bold style of Australian Shiraz that has earned the winery a passionate global following.

## Interesting facts

- Named after winemaker Sarah Marquis's son, Luke, who is the original 'Blue Eyed Boy' featured on the label.
- Mollydooker recommends performing the 'Mollydooker Shake' on their young wines to release nitrogen and fully open up the aromatics.
- The winery uses the 'Marquis Fruit Weight' system to grade their wines, with Blue Eyed Boy consistently scoring above 75%.

## Food pairing

This massive, high-alcohol Shiraz requires equally robust, flavorful dishes. The rich fruit profile and velvety tannins pair beautifully with charred, caramelized meats, which soften the wine's structure. High-protein dishes like beef and lamb help bind the tannins, while sweet-savory glazes complement the wine's intense fruit core.

## Wine making process

The fruit for the Blue Eyed Boy Shiraz is sourced from premium vineyards in McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. After harvest, the grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel before being pressed. The wine is aged in 100% American oak barrels, of which a high percentage (typically around 50-60%) is new, with the remainder being one-year-old. A defining aspect of Mollydooker's winemaking is the 'Marquis Fruit Weight' metric, which measures the percentage of the palate covered by velvety fruit cushions, ensuring only the richest, most complete barrels make the final blend.