Mollydooker, founded by Sarah and Sparky Marquis in McLaren Vale, has become one of Australia’s most recognisable premium Shiraz producers. Their signature style — plush, vibrant, and hedonistically rich — has earned global acclaim, particularly through their “Love” series. Carnival of Love stands at the top of the range: a single-varietal Shiraz crafted from the estate’s finest blocks. It is renowned for its intensity, velvety texture, and exuberant fruit profile. The 2021 vintage continues this legacy with exceptional purity and depth.
Vineyard
Fruit for Carnival of Love is sourced from Mollydooker’s premium vineyards in McLaren Vale, where ancient soils of sandy loam, clay, and ironstone provide natural richness and concentration. The region’s Mediterranean climate — warm days, cooling sea breezes, and long ripening time — produces Shiraz with deeply saturated fruit, luxurious body, and fine, seamless tannins. Low yields, selective hand harvesting, and the Mollydooker “Fruit Weight” philosophy ensure only the most opulent barrels are chosen.
Vintage
2021 was an outstanding year in McLaren Vale, marked by a mild, even growing season following ideal winter rains. The long ripening period delivered Shiraz of tremendous flavour concentration with excellent acid balance. Many producers consider 2021 the best vintage since 2012, and Carnival of Love shows remarkable harmony, richness, and drive.
Winemaking
Mollydooker employs a distinctive winemaking approach, including their famous “Mollydooker Shake” to integrate nitrogen during bottling for optimal aromatics. Fermentation occurs in small batches with gentle extraction to preserve plushness, followed by maturation in high-quality American oak barrels (a significant proportion new). Only the richest, most expressive barrels make it into Carnival of Love, ensuring the hallmark style: vibrant, velvety, and intensely flavourful.
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Carnival of Love Shiraz delivers explosive aromatics of blackberry liqueur, plum, blueberry, mocha, licorice, and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied, opulent, and silk-smooth, offering dense layers of black and blue fruits wrapped in creamy tannins. Notes of chocolate fudge, vanilla bean, cinnamon, and clove add decadence, while surprising acidity brings lift and balance. The finish is long, plush, and deeply satisfying. A quintessential Mollydooker — bold, luxurious, and irresistibly hedonistic.
Critics’ Acclaim
Consistently rated as one of Australia’s top luxury Shiraz wines
2021 vintage celebrated for exceptional purity and balance
A favourite among collectors of lush, high-impact McLaren Vale styles
Technical Information
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Producer: Mollydooker
Variety: Shiraz
Alcohol: ~16%
Oak: Predominantly American oak (high new oak component)
Style: Full-bodied, plush, luxurious
Drinking Window: 2023–2035+
A Collectible Gem
The 2021 Carnival of Love Shiraz is a stunning release — rich, velvety, and classically Mollydooker in every sense. A perfect bottle for lovers of bold, high-impact Shiraz, and a standout vintage destined to become a collector’s favourite.
