Mitolo

7th Son 2015

McLaren Vale

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The wine’s name comes from Seventh Son of the Seventh Son, a folklore concept of birth right gifts of second sight, healing and luck. The Seventh Son is a testament to the quality of these two varieties, Grenache and Shiraz, in McLaren Vale and how well they can compliment each other. When blended together though these opposites provide a great foil for each other, creating a complex and intriguing wine.

VINEYARD

The Grenache portion is sourced from 75 year old biodynamic grown bush vines from the deep sands of Blewitt Springs. It provides a rustic, lighter, earthier flavor than the fruit forward, softer Shiraz portion which is sourced from the Lopresti vineyards.

WINEMAKING

There is very little new oak influence in this wine, with older oak barrels chosen for the elevage. A Grenache (62%), Shiraz (33%), and a tiny dollop of Sagrantino (5%) blend, the tannins are sandy and a little Italian twist on a classic blend from southern France and McLaren Vale. The Shiraz and Grenache parcels were kept separate until the final blending stage just prior to bottling. Both parcels were destemmed without crushing then pumped over once daily. The ferment was kept cool throughout in an attempt to extract the tannin, color and flavor. The wine was kept in one and two year old barrels, all of French origin, for 18 months before being blended.

TASTING NOTE

Bramble herbs with hints of cracked black pepper underpinned with earthy, dark fruit characters of Satsuma plum, black cherry and licorice. Grenache plays a leading role, a dark cherry lift with a seductive, almost slippery mid palate. Shiraz provides some weight to the juicy mouth feel as well as dark fruits and earthy olive tapenade characteristics. Finally, Sagrantino, despite its low proportion, adds beautiful dry earth, cigar box-like savory lift with those signature tannins giving a drying, snappy finish.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Grenache, Shiraz

Appellation

McLaren Vale

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$35.00

Reviews

Wine & Spirits - March 25, 2019 “There may be only five percent sagrantino in this blend of grenache and shiraz, but it stands out in the wine’s Italianate spiciness. The wine is black and sappy, edged in flavors of figs and plum skin. While the alcohol stands out a bit, this is a wine you could serve slight chilled on a hot summer evening”

"Intense dark berry"

Vinous - September 8, 2022 “Bright ruby. Expressive blueberry, cherry and candied flowers on the nose; a smoky mineral nuance builds in the glass. Lively and focused on the palate, offering intense dark berry and violet pastille flavors and a suggestion of cracked pepper. In an energetic style, with gentle tannins lending shape to a long, floral- and spice-driven finish.”-J.R 9/22

"hints of vanilla on the finish"

Wine Advocate - October 15, 2018

"The 2015 Small Batch Series 7th Son is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Sagrantino. It's floral and red-fruited at first, then it adds hints of plum skim. Full-bodied, it shows some drying tannins and hints of vanilla on the finish, along with juicy, mouthwatering acids."

"Incredibly graceful and elegant"

Jeb Dunnuck - July 24, 2018 “A blend of 62% Grenache, 33% Shiraz and the rest Sagrantino (the estate is moving more to Mediterranean varieties) brought up in used French oak, the 2015 7th Son offers a ripe, sexy, rounded style that stays light and graceful on the palate. Kirsch, blackberry, herbes de Provence, and dried herb characteristics all emerge from this pretty, incredibly graceful and elegant blend that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.”

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Marsican

McLaren Vale

Named after the rare Marsican bear, native to Frank’s father Bruno’s homeland, Abruzzo. The same bear can be seen in the night sky over Italy forming the Ursa Major – a constellation that has been a navigational reference point for ages. Marsican is a tribute to Frank Mitolo’s heritage and his father's enduring .influence and guidance.

Savitar Shiraz

McLaren Vale

“Savitar” is a mythical dragon-like monster, and this wine is so named because of the impression Frank Mitolo and Ben Glaetzer had upon tasting one particular lot in the Willunga vineyard. They were so blown away they decided to make a Shiraz from just the small lot, and Savitar was created.

Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon

McLaren Vale

“Serpico” was a famous New York police officer who wasn’t afraid to ‘work against the grain’. With Serpico, Mitolo aims to step outside its peers and redefine the accepted style of Cabernet making. Serpico is a 100% Cabernet made in the Amarone method to achieve intense aromas, and a concentrated viscous middle palate with soft and silky tannins.

G.A.M.

McLaren Vale

G.A.M. represents the first initial of each of Frank Mitolo children's first names - Gemma, Alex and Marco - and G.A.M. was the first and remains the flagship wine of the estate. A Shiraz that embodies the Mitolo credo: strong and gentle. Uncompromising intensity and depth, supple complexity of fruit and savory flavors.

Angela

McLaren Vale

The Lopresti Family growers have provided fruit for Mitolo from the very beginning. Sourced from Sandra’s Block, matriarch of the Lopresti family, this wine is a tribute to Frank Mitolo's mother, Angela, matriarch of the Mitolo family.

Jester Vermentino

McLaren Vale

Frank Mitolo and Ben Glaetzer spent considerable time researching the choice of varietal for Mitolo's first white wine, and Vermentino was chosen as a grape that matches well with food and that would suit the McLaren Vale region. The maritime climate of McLaren Vale perfectly reflects that of the Mediterranean coastal districts of Corsica and Sardinia from which this varietal is best known. Warm days and cool, breezy nights allow for the grapes to develop balanced acidity and fresh fruit flavors.

Jester Shiraz

McLaren Vale

The Jester wines share the pedigree of the top Mitolo wines, but are more accessible and fruit-forward. Jester Shiraz is a blend of several blocks within the Lopresti vineyard in the Willunga district, all the way at the southern tip of McLaren Vale overlooking the coast. Intense, textured and shows pure dark fruit flavors.

Jester Cabernet Sauvignon

McLaren Vale

Jester Cabernet is a “baby” Serpico, the top Mitolo Cabernet produced using an Amarone drying process. For the Jester Cabernet, only a portion of the grapes are left to dry in the traditional Amarone winemaking method. Jester Cabernet is upfront and approachable, delivering excellent quality for the price.