Mitolo Jester is no foolish wine. In fact, since it was first seen in the UK in the mid-noughties it has carved a reputation for being one of the most serious sub £15 Shiraz wines on the market. Our first taste was the epic 2006 vintage and we have been in love with this wine ever since. We strongly feel that the entire Mitolo range is reflected in the power, elegace and value of this wine.
The grapes come from the Willunga district of McLaren Vale, where there are heavy grey loam soils over sandstone, intermixed with black Biscay clay. These soils, combined with the maritime climate, contribute to an even ripening period.
A 13 day heatwave in late January and early February saw the 2009 Vintage begin in the first week of February. Cool, dry conditions during berry ripening in most of the district were conducive to excellent flavour, colour and phenolic development. In general, the timing of the heatwave affected vineyards with lighter canopies and crop loads, those on thin or highly reflective soils and crops in the earlier ripening areas.
The fruit was fermented on its skins for five or six days. The wine was pressed and underwent partial barrel fermentation. A natural malolactic fermentation was completed before the wine was racked. The wine was aged in two to four year old French barrels for nine months.