TN: Mitolo GAM, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002

[Mishy]

Well you just know this'll be great, barring the curse of TCA you're in for a spectacular wine. I've tasted this several times and am always blown away, but never have I sat with a meal, a friend and a whole bottle and really got into it.
Last night with lamb roast was a perfect opportunity.
I decanted only one hour prior, I was concerned about not being better prepared as i found the wine I was originally going to open (Duck Creek Shiraz '01) turned out corked, so i was forced to have an immediate back-up plan. I was thrilled it really wasn't necessary to decant too long, this wine is pretty sexy right out of the gate.
Sweet black fruits and a molasses smoke come barreling out after an hour, it was more restrained prior. There's a heavy deepness, obvious with the visual blackness. On the palate the finish is all about masculine intensity, it's a powerful wine, but you never seem overwhelmed by it.
The oak treatment is judgmental and well thought out, it sits a bit mid-palate with cocoa, but it doesn't finish the wine, it gives much of itself over to the black fruit, mesquite, tar, licorice and all those other big black things that make Aussie Shiraz my favourite wines.
It's pretty ripe, but thankfully it's not sweet like candy, the tannins were prominent but supported the fruit without offense.
It's strikingly handsome, wears Gucci and matches it's shoes to it's belt - it's polished. There is a sense of awe that comes almost after every sip, you pause in a sentence just to experience it, it makes you feel wrapped in a fussy blanket, you want more. It's crack cocaine to me.
This is fabulous, I thank Frank Mitolo for making me a great wine to go with a special birthday dinner, it made my week.
Cheers,
Mishy

[Guest]

This is fabulous, I thank Frank Mitolo for making me a great wine to go with a special birthday dinner, it made my week.
Cheers,
Mishy

Happy birthday Mishy.
MM

[Red Bigot]

This is fabulous, I thank Frank Mitolo for making me a great wine to go with a special birthday dinner, it made my week.
Cheers,
Mishy

Mishy, happy birthday! I've never tried crack cocaine, but I agree the Mitolo GAM 2002 is pretty good, the 2003 is no slouch either. I think you had better thank Ben Glaetzer as well, he made the wine.

[Guest]

Mitolos wines are getting better by each vintage.

2001 - V.V.Good
2002 - Better
2003 - the best (yet?)

Lookout for Woodstock "the Stocks" 2002 crafted by Ben Glaetzer.
Same thing cannot be said about his father's wines.

[Red Bigot]

Lookout for Woodstock "the Stocks" 2002 crafted by Ben Glaetzer.
Same thing cannot be said about his father's wines.

I'll be looking for the Stocks 2002, despite it not winning a medal in Sydney, it was in good company, the St Hallett Blackwell 2002, Jamiesons Run Winemakers Reserve Cab-Shiraz 2001, Saltram #1 2001, Grant Burge Mesach 2002, Orlando Lawsons Shiraz 2002, Metala Black label 2001 and a few other notables also failed to score even a bronze.

I quite like both the 2001 Glaetzer Bishop and Glaetzer Shiraz, good wines at reasonable prices from a hot vintage.

[Gavin Trott]

Lookout for Woodstock "the Stocks" 2002 crafted by Ben Glaetzer.
Same thing cannot be said about his father's wines.

I'll be looking for the Stocks 2002, despite it not winning a medal in Sydney, it was in good company, the St Hallett Blackwell 2002, Jamiesons Run Winemakers Reserve Cab-Shiraz 2001, Saltram #1 2001, Grant Burge Mesach 2002, Orlando Lawsons Shiraz 2002, Metala Black label 2001 and a few other notables also failed to score even a bronze.

I quite like both the 2001 Glaetzer Bishop and Glaetzer Shiraz, good wines at reasonable prices from a hot vintage.

Hello

I've tried the Stocks 2002, and it will be worth the wait, excellent wine.

BTW the 2002 Glaetzers also should be worth the wait. I've not yet tried them, but word around the place is very positive. Should be interesting.