2003 Mitolo Shiraz McLaren Vale Savitar -- dark purple, almost black in decanter; shy nose for about 15 minutes but eventually reveals spicecake, violets, pepper notes; intense on the palate, blackberry, plum, black pepper, cedar, spicecake, hints of raw beef, mushroom, lots of very silky tannins, dominates midpalate, good acidity, still tight; very long finish with plum, pepper and oak hanging on for a while. Powerhouse, but balanced well for this level of intensity. 95 pts, maybe more to come. This should improve and last for a few years.

Second time I've had this in the last couple of months, and both bottles were the same. I understand the '04 might even be better.