Vineyard Notes
The Savitar Shiraz comes from the Chinese Block vineyard which is located in the Willunga district at the southern end of McLaren Vale. Parcels of fruit from vines averaging 20 years of age are grown on rocky, skeletal soils in the northeast part of the vineyard. The fruit, which is handpicked typically yields only 1.5 tonnes per acre.
Style
Opaque black showing aromas of camphor and cassis mixed with cracked pepper, truffles and earth. Rich layered mouth feel, full bodied and rich whilst maintaining admirable precision.
Winemaker Notes
Each parcel of fruit for Savitar was fermented on skins for 15 days at 28-32°C to soften the skins and release the juice. A slightly longer period on skins ensures a tighter overall structure. The wine is then pressed, and undergoes partial barrel fermentation, followed by a natural malolactic fermentation, before racking.
Vintage Note
The growing season began with a wet August followed by a dry spring resulting in an earlier start than normal and strong canopy growth. At Mitolo’s Lopresti vineyard, this strong growth along with sound management techniques and an inherent understanding of the vines allowed the fruit to survive a long spike of heat at the end of January relatively unscathed. Conditions around this heat were actually quite mild; ideal for grape ripening. Shiraz displayed excellent and deep varietal character with naturally balanced acidity.
Variety
100% Shiraz
Region
McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Intense garnet/plum.
Bouquet
Dark, brooding plum and blackberry fruit with a decent lick of smoky, spicy oak
Palate
Rich and opulent, the palate is an attack on the
senses, however it is also restrained by encompassing but silky tannins. There is layer upon layer of flavours from the dark and brooding blackberry fruit to the more subtle spicy, toasty oak.
Maturation
Aged in 100% new medium to light toasted barriques which are 80% French oak (Alliers/Nevers) and 20% French coopered American oak for 18 months. A total of 16 coopers are used for the Mitolo oak regime.
Cellaring
Will age reliably for 15 years.
