Mitolo

Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

McLaren Vale

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“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.

VINEYARD

The Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Lopresti vineyard, and more specifically the Chinese Block, which is located at the southern end of McLaren Vale, about 2.5miles east of the coastal town of Port Willunga. The soil here is heavy grey loam mixed with black Biscay clay and sits above ancient Gnaltinga formation bedrock. Strong vine growth in spring is tempered by summers dry winds, developing pure, bright and savory fruit flavors that are tempered by cooling afternoon sea breezes.

WINEMAKING

Fruit is hand-picked quite early (around 13° Baume) and placed onto 10kg drying crates. The grapes are left to dry in our 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 is fermented on skins for two weeks and then is left for a further three weeks before pressing. This extended time on skins actually helps to soften the wine as the small, aggressive tannins are bound up in the process leaving only larger, silky tannins in the wine. The wine is then stored in oak barrels for ten months before careful barrel selection precedes blending and bottling.

VINTAGE

A drier than average growing season for the third consecutive year, which contributed to lower yields across the board. The season commenced with good winter rainfall, but a dry spring followed reducing vine vigour.

TASTING NOTE

Brooding and alluring nose with notes of blackberry, plum and savory herbal spices. Full bodied and mouthcoating, led by deep, dark fruit characteristics, with flavors of licorice, dark chocolate and fig. Multi layered and complex with a savory finish framed by fine grained tannins.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation

McLaren Vale

Suggested Retail Price

$75.00

Reviews

"Light in body and elegant"

Wine Advocate - December 11, 2019 "Made in a way akin to Amarone, from partially dried grapes, the 2018 Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon features lifted, almost floral, notes of black tea leaves atop fresh blueberries and cassis. It tastes fresh, not dried, and comes across surprisingly light in body and elegant, with fresh cherry flavors on a softly dusty finish."

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Marsican

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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

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“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.

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

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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.