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 fathers enduring influence and guidance.

Marsican Shiraz is a prized blend of our finest barrels from three distinct single vineyard sites in McLaren Vale. Situated only kilometres from the cooling breezes of the Gulf St Vincent, these three vineyards are the source of our prized single vineyard Shiraz’s, Savitar, G.A.M. and Angela.

Savitar – 45 year old vines, Chinese Block, Aldinga sub region, East/West orientation, North East pocket, river stone over black Biscay clay and limestone, a dark and dense cracking soil that delivers vibrant and lush Shiraz with great structure.
G.A.M. – 45 year old vines, Chinese Block, Aldinga sub region, East/West orientation, Western pocket, delivers an opulent and brooding style of Shiraz, of rich black fruits, olive tapenade and spice.
Angela – 30 year old vines, Sandra’s Block, Willunga sub region, North/South orientation, alluvial Christies Beach formation with ironstone and shale producing a slightly brighter fruit profile and complete structure.

A careful blend of these three distinct single vineyard sites which each speak so loudly of place, form a seamless, harmonious and unique interpretation of the south western pocket of McLaren Vale delivering an opulent and brooding style of Shiraz, of rich black fruits, olive tapenade and spice.

Each parcel of fruit for Marsican is fermented on skins for approximately ten days. Parcels are fermented quite cool, which helps to preserve the bright fruit characters without extracting any hard or bitter tannins from the skins and seeds. After ten days the wines are gently pressed and run down to oak barrels, of which 100% are new, stored for 18 months after which each barrel is considered for the final Marsican blend.

Deep and brooding with black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and freshly turned earth. Aromas are clear and well delineated. Complex, layered & fine with terrific finesse. It opens with ripe black cherry, mocha and sweet spices unfolding silkily across the palate. Despite its power and polish, it has remarkable elegance with all its components in beautiful balance. Fine, ripe tannins and perfectly judged acidity frame it all boding well for excellent cellaring potential. While rich and expressive now, the greatest rewards await those with the patience to allow it to slowly evolve in a cool cellar for the next 35 years.

Wine Advocate: 97Pts; Wine Spectator: 94Pts; Ned Goodwin MW: 93Pts

Mitolo Wines