TN: Mitolo GAM, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2002
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:44 pm
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
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
