Mitolo, `Serpico` McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, 2019

On the nose, there are intense aromas of rich blackberry and ripe plum complemented by notes of dark chocolate, vanilla and figs. It is a full-bodied wine with mouth-coating, fine grained tannins leading to a long, savoury finish.

McLaren Vale-based Mitolo is a family-owned winery established in 1999 by Frank Mitolo, whose Italian roots inspired his early interest in, and enthusiasm for, good food and great wine.

Fruit for the Serpico wine comes from the Lopresti vineyard, and more specifically the Chinese Block, which is located at the southern end of McLaren Vale close to the coastal town of Port Willunga. The Cabernet Sauvignon in this vineyard is planted on black Biscay clay which along with the ideal Mediterranean climate produces wines of concentrated varietal character.

The fruit was hand picked quite early and placed onto 10 kilogram drying crates before being left to dry in temperature and humidity controlled sheds for approximately six weeks. This follows the traditional Amarone techniques, resulting in a 30% loss in bunch weight. After drying, the wine was fermented on skins for two weeks and then left for a further three weeks before pressing. This extended time on skins helped to soften the wine as the small, aggressive tannins were bound up in the process leaving only larger, silky tannins. The wine was then aged for 10 months in new oak barrels (80% French, 20% American) before being blended and bottled.

Country: Australia 

Region: McLaren Vale

Vintage: 2019

Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

Size: 750ml 

Producer: Mitolo