Aussie Shiraz with Mitolo GAM Vertical 2002-2005

This was nice event featuring a vertical of Mitolo GAM from 2002-2005. There were a couple of wines that I did not make it for, in particular the 2003 Wolf Blass Platinum Label Barossa Shiraz (which I have had and is very good, but probably not worth the normal price of admission) and the 2007 Schild Estate Shiraz which was rumored to be quite good tonight!

• 2005 Tim Smith Wines Shiraz Barossa Valley 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Dark purple red color. Blackberry, cassis, caramel, and a bit of floral on the nose. there is a bit of alcohol showing on the palate, this largely blows off after 20 minutes. Palate is medium bodied and a consistent with nose adding spice and some fairly round tannins. Finish is shortish. 90+pts

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• 2008 Schild Estate Shiraz 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Purple red color. Nose is showing earth, camphor, spice, slow to open, black fruits. Palate has tart black fruit, not as concentrated as the first bottle I had, seemed a bit thin on the mid palate. Didn't give you that lush mouth feel tonight. This got better over an hour, and despite not a raving note, was nice, but did not show as well as the '07 tonight. I only got a quick sniff of the '07 myself but it certainly was more open and drinking well according to the others present. This was from the original bottling, so should have been fine. Hopefully just an off night (that is if 90 is off).

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• 2004 Oliverhill Winery Shiraz McLaren Vale 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Purple red color. Excellent nose, plums, cassis, earth, marked floral quality, pepper. Palate is nice too, multilayered black fruit, with earth, pepper, spice, and a long finish. My WOTN and tied for group WOTN. 93+pts.

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• 2005 Two Hands Shiraz Max's Garden 92 Points

  Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote

  Purple red color. Nose starts out herbal, scorched earth, , anise, black cherry. Palate is full bodied with prominent acidity, anise, black cherry, good tannins and a peppery finish. My #4 and tied for group WOTN.

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• 2002 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. 91 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Purple color. 3 hr decant. Meat, gravelly, earthy, cedar, creme de cassi, fruit is in the background here, seems tight. Palate Blackberry liqueur, cassis, earth, cedar, some alcohol, peppery finish. Interesting, good, but not the best of show by a long shot.

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• 2003 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Purple color. Now this screams Aussie shiraz and in a good way.. Prominent eucalyptus, camphor, black fruited, herbs, scorched earth. The palate is deep, tart fruit, good acid, nice spice, medium finish. 92pts.

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• 2004 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Purple black color. Nose is very earthy, meaty, blood, blackberry, cassis, blueberry, spices. The palate is deep and layered, very nice fruit, good tannic structure, excellent balance. excellent. My #3 WOTN. 93pts.

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• 2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. 93 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Purple black color. Very nice nose, black and blue fruits, pepper, licorice, espresso, and oak. The palate has a lush, velvety mouthfeel, fresh, blackberry, blueberry pie, balanced, integrated tannins, long finish. My #2 WOTN, group #3, and Mitolo vertical my and group WOTN.

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The voting for WOTN was really close with both the 2004 Oliverhill and the 2005 Two Hands Max's scoring 7 points and the 2005 Mitolo garnering 6 pts. Scoring was 2 points for first and 1 point for second place with 11 voting.