Mitolo G. A. M. Shiraz 2021

A cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz from a brilliant year, the name comes from founder Frank Mitolo’s three children, Gemma, Alexander and Marco. The wine sees twenty months maturation in a mix of French and American oak hogsheads, 70% older with 25% new French and 5% new American. Purple maroon colour here, with the nose giving us ample evidence of how richly flavoured and truly gorgeous this wine is. It is a plush McLaren Vale Shiraz that is wonderful drinking. The price suggests it is not for everyday drinking but it is still terrific value and there are plenty of prestige releases with far loftier price tags put in the shade by this gem (or perhaps one should say this gam?). We have notes of mocha, coffee beans, blackberries, aniseed and cassis. Ripe and dense with good focus and energy as well as real intensity. Fine, silky tannins and a hint of graphite across the palate. For McLaren Vale, this is about as refined and elegant as we are likely to see. Love it. Juicy acidity and great length round out the package. Enjoy any time over the next fifteen years.