The essence of Mitolo Wines can be traced back centuries through generations of agriculturists and viticulturalists. In 2000, Mitolo made its first Shiraz, and two years later its first Cabernet Sauvignon. Since that time, Mitolo has championed these two varieties with fruit from some of McLaren Vale’s finest vineyards. Whilst building its reputation for premium Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon offerings, Mitolo expanded its range to include several Italian varieties paying homage to the family’s roots.

Precise and driven. Fine boned yet eminently present. Red and dark fruits along with mocha and liquorice nuances, yield to highly finessed and incredibly fine-grained savoury tannins. Graphite in texture, the wine is tightly wound within long mineral acidity, which carries intensity through the palate. White pepper, cedar and elegant allspice notes linger throughout the enduring, linear finish.

Highly polished release. Selected parcels from its source vineyard in the Vale’s south-western Whites Valley district get the royal treatment, a large proportion of new French oak in play in the winery offering its typical influence in the finished wine with finessed tannins, a minerally char and toast, yet still room for its rich dark plum fruit and acidity to drive intense drinking pleasures long into the future. Exciting stuff. Price: $105.00; Rating: 96 Points; Tony Love

Really good drinking. Under diam. A dark garnet/maroon, this is a wine of concentration, power and intensity. The nose gives us notes of chocolate and mocha with dried herbs, spices and tobacco leaves, as well as some oak which is well integrated. Impressive balance with a supple texture and fine tannins. There is some serious persistence here. Well structured, this is a very fine McLaren Vale Shiraz from an excellent year. Great stuff. This is going to drink beautifully for at least 10 to 15 years. Drink to: 2040; Price: $105.00; Rating: 95 Points; Ken Gargett