Winemaker Ben Glaetzer
100% Shiraz from the Chinese Block in the McLaren Vale
Mitolo Wines is a family owned winery, established in 1999 by Frank and Simone Mitolo. Their vision is to create individual, handcrafted premium wines built on passion and an uncompromising commitment to quality. This is what defines Mitolo Wines.
Winemaker Ben Glaezter became a partner in the business in 2001. The fusion of Frank’s intimate knowledge of the land and business acumen and Ben’s winemaking talent, has resulted in the creation of special and unique wines. GAM is named after Frank’s three children; Gemma, Alex and Marco.
The G.A.M. Shiraz comes from the Chinese Block vineyard which is located in the Willunga district at the southern end of McLaren Vale. The soils, which are heavy grey loam soils over sandstone, intermixed with black Biscay clay, combine with a maritime climate to provide an even ripening period allowing the development of rich fruit flavours and ripe tannins. Yield was around 40 hl/ha from vines with an average age of 20.
Each parcel of fruit for G.A.M. was fermented on the skins for ten days at cool and warm temperatures. The lower temperature helps make the finished wine more approachable and the higher temperature gives more structure. G.A.M. uses a blend of the two. After pressing, the wine underwent partial barrel fermentation followed by malolactic fermentation before racking. It was aged in fine grained oak, predominantly hogsheads, for 16 months. 70% was new oak, using 80% French and 20% French coopered American oak and 20% was one and two year old French/American oak.
Mitolo G.A.M 2005 5 Stars Award
Baked damsons, blackcurrants. Lots of ripe’ juicy fruit –berries, damsons. Spicy, mineral, smooth tannins, High alcohol but fairly good balancing acidity. 2-5 years.
Decanter Magazine, February 2008
Intense, deep red/purple in colour, with perfumes of ripe plums and spice together with aromatic herbs. On the palate it is concentrated and structured, with fine, oaky tannins supporting the intense, blackberry and plum fruit. Supple tannins and long length.
An absolute tour de force of Australian winemaking that’s been awarded a mighty 95/100 from critic Robert Parker and has been sought after by collectors around the world. The intensity of fruit is remarkable yet equally so is the elegance and balance. The tannins are so well integrated into the wine you can easily overlook the fact that this wine will also cellar for many years. Enjoy 2007-2015 and beyond.
Fashioned from a McLaren Vale vineyard, the 2005 Shiraz G.A.M. (named after the Mitolo children – Gemma, Alexander, and Marco) is a deep ruby/purple-hued effort displaying beautiful blackberry, white pepper, licorice, and toasty oak notes. Rich, full-bodied, and intense, with blueberry and blackberry flavors, sweet tannin, and excellent purity, it is a tour de force in winemaking. Enjoy it over the next decade. 95 Points, Robert Parker