Wine was double-decanted before consumption. Pours like a thick purple syrup, holding onto the side of the glass for some time. Early flavors exhibited licorice, metal,asphalt and graphite in a black fruit base. There was an off-flavor mid-palate, like a dirty metal, which dissipated over 2-3 hours.

At 4+ hours this has softened considerably, with the metallic and graphite edges dissipated and a bit of glycerin showing through. The wine is now a close relative of warm blueberry pie, and is starting to show some dryness in addition to all the black and blue fruit.

The next morning it had softened further and was quite nice. Overall, I'd recommend decanting at lunchtime right now and score it 94+ points. I've got quite a fewl bottles and will retest one in about a year. If you only had a few bottles, wait at least 3 years.

Thanks for taking 1 for the team, davidandrose. This wine is getting harder to find & the price is climbing. But, I loved the prior 2 releases. I am keeping my eyes open for this wine.

I believe that Parker rated it 96-100? What did you pay for it? And, where did you buy it (if you don't mind me asking)? Thanks.

LCC:

I can answer for David, since I found it and sent him to the store. Heritage Liquors, I can get you the number tomorrow if you want via PM. Ben Weinberg (benthewineberg) from our tasting group is the wine manager there. Purchased last Friday for $43.49 plus tax per. He was checking for additional quantities, I think he was down to the last six or so.

Mike

email sent.

Thanks for the TN. I didn't get the 2002 of this and so I hope I can grab me some of this 2003 vintage. That is getting on the pricey side though isn't it? Still, I love blueberries notes in my wine, especially if they are more like blueberry pie. mmmm oh dang now I'm hungry

I've seen the '03 now in several area stores with pretty consistent pricing ($42-45). With decent availability in Denver, its gotta be plentiful elsewhere.

I had very similar tasting notes to davidandrose. I'm guessing this wine will be a bit of a chameleon depending on air time and bottle age. It's approachable now (though the aromatics are somewhat restrained with tight fine grained tannins) )but will need several years to really show well.

Good to know. My local store had 2 bottles of it left two weeks ago. I got one and my buddy got one. Guess I'll find a comfortable place for it to sit a few years.

Also grabbed 2 bottles of 2002 Kalleske. I understand that's pretty tough to find as well. I just happened to be in there the day after they got a case.

Both the Kalleske and Mitolo I got at $42.

I picked up a case of this wine because it was available in half bottles. They just arrived and the news gets even better - the bottles are finished with screw caps (I thought only the cheapies from Mitolo were screwcapped). If only everyone was following the lead of the Australians and New Zealanders.

Agreed Jones. MLV buys Aussie and NZ over other wines on that basis alone sometimes.

Yes. It is quite good but I believe Parker substantially overrated it.

i drank this last night out of the screwcap half bottle. this is an excellent wine, but in light of parker's high barrel score, was a big disappointment. i thought the 2002 was much better. drank like a $20-25 aussie shiraz. on the level of the 2003 kaesller stonehorse shiraz at twice the price.

It's a screwcap? I have 3 bottles of this wine. Parker 96-100, & Jones' OenoFile 92+. I paid $43.00, even if it drinks to the 92+ level, I will be happy with this wine.

But, it does not sound like you thought it was a 92+ bottle of wine, Jeff.

When would it be best to open my 1st bottle then? It is young being an 03. May be, it needs time (to improve)...

i thought it was in the 90-91 point range. i thought the 2002 was a 93-94 point wine. i guess i was expecting more.

2003 Mitolo McLaren Vale Shiraz G.A.M. -- a powerhouse! Inky-dark purple in the decanter, looks like a barrel sample; after a couple of hours of air, releases big nose of berry, violets, nutmeg, cinnamon; tight but showing deep fruit, blueberry, black licorice, plum, hint of pepper, smoke, no heat at all from 15.5% alc., just stomps on the midpalate; very long finish (no surprise) with lots of tannin and fruit. In the 95 pt. range. I have no idea how long this wine will last, but it's quite plush now due in part to fairly low acidity, so I'm going drink mine sooner rather than later, say over the next 5-6 years.

Had another bottle of this last night, and no different from my previous note. Delicious, full-blow Australian Shiraz, drinking very well right now. Just delicious!

Did you give this much airtime, or just a pop and pour.

About 20-30 minutes in decanter right away, then drank over maybe 2 hours. Opens up nicely. Hard not to drink this faster.

This seems like a different style from the 2000 GAM that I smuggled into my friend's wedding dinner two and a half years ago.

I remember it being somewhat restrained and reminiscent of a high quality Northern Rhone. Everybody at the table drained this bottle very quickly.