G.A.M. Shiraz 2021

96 Points
A cracking McLaren Vale Shiraz from a brilliant year, the name comes from founder, Frank Mitolo’s, three children, Gemma, Alexander and Marco. The wine sees twenty months maturation in a mix of French and American oak hogsheads, 70% older with 25% new French and 5% new American. Purple maroon colour here, with the nose giving us ample evidence of how richly flavoured and truly gorgeous this wine is. It is a plush McLaren Vale Shiraz that is wonderful drinking. The price suggests it is not for everyday drinking but it is still terrific value and there are plenty of prestige releases with far loftier price tags put in the shade by this gem (or perhaps one should say this gam?). We have notes of mocha, coffee beans, blackberries, aniseed and cassis. Ripe and dense with good focus and energy as well as real intensity. Fine, silky tannins and a hint of graphite across the palate. For McLaren Vale, this is about as refined and elegant as we are likely to see. Love it. Juicy acidity and great length round out the package. Enjoy any time over the next fifteen years.

Ken Gargett, Winepilot, January 2025

93 Points
From the Home Block and Lopresti vineyard Lots 10 and 11. Like the Savitar, this was destemmed and crushed, with a relatively cool ferment, but less new oak, 25% new French and 5% new American, the balance seasoned French; 20 months' maturation. As always, this is generous and enveloping, but there’s freshness and a certain transparency, too. It’s also more savoury than luscious. Black cherry and plum, dried blackberry, anise and black pepper, leather and tar, cacao nibs. Tannins are admirably fine, with acidity cutting a clean path, all in balance with fruit. 

Marcus Ellis, Wine Companion, May2025

93 Points
Deepest ruby red colour. Black cherry, dry loam and ironstone aromas. Palate is full but has a lift of acidity that gives a sense of freshness to the ripe blue and black fruits. As it lingers there’s a dusty dark earth note and hints of anise and bitter chocolate. Tannins are finely built, carrying it long and building as it heads to the finish.

Stuart Knox, The Real Review, November 2024

92 Points