Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (McLaren Vale) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale. A frequent visitor to the LCBO for many years now. I recall enjoying 2008 vintage of this wine back in 2010, while the latest vintage should be arriving on shelves across Ontario this weekend as part of the March 19 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Originally from Abruzzo with a viticultural ancestry, the Mitolo family moved to Australia in the 1950s to become successful market gardeners. After years of working in his family's potato business, Frank Mitolo started making wine for family and friends. In 1999, after a legendary 5-hour discussion with winemaker Ben Glaetzer, the pair fashioned a dream of making the ultimate expression of McLaren Vale's rich provenance of soils. Mitolo Wines was formed with a six word business plan on the back of a napkin: individuality, integrity, quality, purity, elegance and power, and the first wine was a 2000 G.A.M. Shiraz that was named in honour of Frank's children Gemma, Alex, and Marco. Ben is part of the well-known Glaetzer family that has a long lineage of viticulture and winemaking within the Barossa Valley, and uses a hands-off approach in the winery, while also working closely with the growers of Mitolo wines - the Lopresti family.

Mitolo works closely with its growers, the Lopresti family, who are also from Italy and old friends of the Mitolo family. Don Lopresti, a Calabrian, started planting his vineyards in the coastal Aldinga McLaren Vale in 1975. Today, Don works closely with his sons Joe and Michael to fastidiously maintain the 200 acres of vineyards to produce the style Mitolo is renowned for. The Lopresti vineyards are sandwiched between the Gulf St Vincent and the nearby Willunga Hills, known as the Clay Plains of Aldinga, where the soils are of heavy, grey loams mixed with black 'Biscay' clay overlying ancient Ngaltinga formation that was formed one million years ago in the Pleistocene age. Winter rains soak deep into the clay and hold the moisture deep in the soil, and when the soils have dried out, the ensuing cracks create positive stress on the vines as they strive for energy and concentrating fruit flavours.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mitolo's Jester range of wines. The Jesters of the Courts of Europe had one motivation - to entertain the household of a nobleman and their guests. A modern entertainer, the Jester is able to excite, tell stories at any dinner table, and are the life of the party. Ultimately, the Jesters - and these wines - are there to remind us not to take life too seriously.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% of the fruit was dried on racks for approximately 7-8 weeks in the Italian Appassimento style. From vineyards located at the southern end of McLaren Vale on heavy clay soils, close to the seaside town of Aldinga, the combination of cool sea breezes and gully winds provide the ideal conditions for growing powerful fruit with intensity and balance. Yields were down compared to the 2017 vintage, but quality was exceptional. Let's see how this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MITOLO JESTER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#43224) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% of the grapes dried in the Appassimento style. Screw cap. The medium+ intensity nose has ripe black currant, and cassis aromas joined by spices, mocha chocolate, dried herbs, and whiffs of crushed rock. On the dry, medium to medium-full bodied palate it has fresh, juicy acidity that supports the ripe black currant, dark cherry, mocha chocolate, and dried herbal flavours with a slightly tangy mid-palate. Textured tannins have a supple grip. Savoury, earthy, and mocha chocolate notes linger on the fresh finish, with very good length. A bit of a crowd pleaser, a joy to sip. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Mitolo are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.