The wines of Mitolo, McLaren Vale/Barossa Valley, Australia

Frank Mitolo, Angle Vale Road, Virginia, South Australia, PO Box 520, Virginia 5120
Tel: +61 8 8282 9012 Fax: +61 8 8410 1377
E-mail: enquiries@mitolowines.com.au  Website: www.mitolowines.com.au

Mitolo is a new star on the Australian wine scene. Established in 1999 by Frank and Simone Mitolo, the first wine released was the 2000 GAM. Winemaking duties are carried out by Ben Glaetzer, who is a partner in the venture. I was thrilled by these wines and I’m sure that they’ll soon have cemented their place among the Aussie wine elite. Why are they so good? They combine power and ripeness with impeccable balance. UK availability, Noel Young among others.

For a more recent review of these wines, see this report from January 2006. There's also a feature on Be3n Glaetzer here.

Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2002 McLaren Vale
From younger sections of the vineyard, this up-front wine is matured in older oak barrels and bottled with a screwcap. It has a ripe, supersweet liquoricey, aromatic nose with lots of ripe fruit. The palate is sweet, rich, ripe and showy. Very expressive and utterly delicious. Very good/excellent 90/100

Mitolo Reiver Shiraz 2002 Barossa
This is made from 60 year old vines grown on higher-altitude sites of the north end of the valley. It’s a vivid purple/black colour. The sweet forward nose has a subtle spicy edge and is very appealing. The concentrated palate shows vivid fruit with a spicy tannic structure. Brilliant stuff: delicious with some nice structure. Very good/excellent 93/100

Mitolo 'GAM' Shiraz 2002 McLaren Vale
Very deep coloured, this has an intense, spicy nose with ripe fruit and hints of roast coffee and tar. Well defined. The palate shows a huge concentration of super-rich fruit with spicy tannins. It's a bold, complex wine with many layers of flavour. Very impressive. Excellent 96/100

Mitolo Savitar Shiraz 2002 McLaren Vale
Very deep colour. Intense spicy, tarry nose with intoxicating ripe black fruits. Bold and intense. Wonderful concentration of taut, intense spicy fruit on the palate with good acidity. Striking bold style with lovely structure to the intense fruit. Really impressive. Excellent 95/100

Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Amarone 2003 Barossa Valley
Named after the famed New York police officer. I think they are going to get into trouble if the Italians see the name ‘amarone’ on the label. After harvesting the fruit is air dried for 5–7 weeks before fermentation on skins for three weeks. Very ripe, intense nose is smooth with sweet dark fruits. The palate is lush, rich and spicy with masses of open, ripe fruit. Bold and more-ish in an OTT style. Very good/excellent 92/100

wines tasted January 2004

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