94 pts Wine Advocate Issue #173 Oct 2006
The 2006 Shiraz “Savitar” was aged in 100% new oak, predominantly French. Purple-colored, the aromatics are a bit reticent initially, but soon scents of toasty oak, tar, licorice, scorched earth, and blueberry emerge. This leads to a wine which is more structured and less opulent than its peers. It will evolve for a minimum of 8-10 years and drink well through 2040. As a point of reference, the 2002 Savitar (rated 95) was presented. It is considerably more developed aromatically but still has a significant distance to travel prior to reaching its peak. Mitolo, which began operations in 1999, is a partnership of the Mitolo family and winemaker Ben Glaetzer. The focus is on McLaren Vale fruit from Willunga, the most southern part of the district.
