Winemaker Notes
G.A.M. represents the first initial of each of the Mitolo children's first names - Gemma, Alex and Marco.
The Shiraz grapes for G.A.M. are hand harvested at around 3 tons an acre from the Willunga district of McLaren Vale, South Australia.
Opaque black/purple. The nose shows concentrated blackberry with hints of spice and chocolate. An elegant yet robust palate, showing the Mitolo style softness and richness. Well structured with a concentration of pure plummy fruit.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The spectacular, dense ruby/purple-colored 2003 Shiraz G. A. M. (named after the Mitolo family’s three children) exhibits aromas of lead pencil shavings, blackberries, blueberries, cassis, licorice, new oak, and scorched earth. This complex 2003 comes across as a hypothetical blend of a great La Mission-Haut-Brion from Bordeaux and a Rhone Valley Hermitage such as Chapoutier’s Pavillon. Everything is seamlessly integrated into this tour de force in winemaking. It should age for 10-15+ years.
Range: >/b> 96-100. -
Jeb Dunnuck
The most evolved 2003 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. I’ve had (purchased by me on release), this shows a deep purple color as well as slight bricking on the edges. Aromatically, this is firing on all cylinders with deep plum and cassis fruit, black olives, bacon, leafy tobacco and loads of baking spices jumping from the glass. Just fantastically complex and nuanced on the nose, the wine is full bodied and perfectly balanced on the palate, carrying sweet fruit, a broad, full texture and fine grained tannins on the long finish. This was put into a blind lineup with stiff company and was the group’s wine of the night. Given the maturity of this bottle, I’m recommending drinking bottles over the next 5 to 8 years.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.