Mitolo
About Mitolo
Originally from the Abruzzo region in Italy, the Mitolo family arrived in Australia in the 1950s and while they relied on their potato business to make a living, they were never far from their viticulturist ancestry. The catalyst to their move into winemaking was what has now become a legendary 5-hour discussion between Frank Mitolo and Ben Glaetzer, renown winemaker and proprietor of Glaetzer Wines. Ben agreed to join Mitolo as winemaker and business partner in fashioning single vineyard wines from McLaren Vale.
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$372.00 -
Vinous (90)
Inky ruby. Vibrant cherry and cassis aromas are complemented by a spicy overtone. Juicy and precise in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors and a sweetening touch of vanilla. The spicy note comes back on the nicely persistent finish, which is framed by supple, even tannins.$282.00 -
Wine Advocate (94-96)
The 2002 Shiraz Reiver is aged in 100% French oak, of which 70% is new. Sweet floral, black, and blue fruit aromas soar from the glass of this black/purple-colored 2002. Extremely full-bodied, deep, and chewy, with tremendous purity as well as texture, it is a remarkably well-balanced behemoth from South Australia that should age effortlessly for 15+ years. Barrel samples of three 2002s revealed tremendous potential in what appears to be the finest efforts Mitolo has yet produced. There are 300-400 cases of each, and all three are scheduled to be bottled in October. Kudos to young importer (31 years old!) Ben Hammerschlag for unearthing these potential superstars.$107.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Named after a mythical monster, the 2005 Shiraz Savitar emerges from rocky, low vigor soils, and was aged for 16 months in primarily new French oak barrels. Dazzling aromas of acacia flowers, blueberries, crushed rocks, graphite, licorice, and espresso roast emerge from this tightly knit but intense, fleshy, rich effort. Its multilayered palate, huge body, sweet tannin, and “monster” finish suggest this brilliant wine will be drinkable between 2008 and 2020. It is a superb example of McLaren Vale Shiraz.$377.00 -
(6x75cl) 2006Wine Advocate (94+)
The 2006 Shiraz “Savitar” was aged in 100% new oak, predominantly French. Purple-colored, the aromatics are a bit reticent initially, but soon scents of toasty oak, tar, licorice, scorched earth, and blueberry emerge. This leads to a wine which is more structured and less opulent than its peers. It will evolve for a minimum of 8-10 years and drink well through 2040. As a point of reference, the 2002 Savitar (rated 95) was presented. It is considerably more developed aromatically but still has a significant distance to travel prior to reaching its peak.$414.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
More high-toned and red-fruited, the cherry-scented 2018 Savitar Shiraz also hints at vanilla, cedar and dried spices (from the oak), plus some slightly darker berry notes. It's full-bodied but tighter and more age-worthy than the GAM or Angela, with a taut, lingering finish.$273.00 -
(6x75cl) 2003Jancis Robinson (17.5)
Extremely bumptious, big and round. Extremely concentrated fruit with a hint of dustiness and still, in early 2005, a little bit brutal.$301.00 -
Halliday Wine Companion (94)
Sourced from the proprietary Lopresti vineyard, known as the 'Chinese Block'. Near Wilunga, this is a warmer zone. Hand picked and placed in drying crates to undergo appassimento; this elevates tannins while concentrating fruit in a shift of the phenolic makeup, imparting a firm, ferrous savouriness. Unabashedly big, yet far from jammy, as a welcome result. Asian spice, blood stone, bitter amaro and cherry pith, with a verdant echo of cabernet in the background.$287.00

