Mescia Super McLaren 2022

Story

A wine inspired by Italy's Super Tuscans. This 6-year project has finally come to fruition, with the launch of the 2022 Mitolo Mescia Super McLaren. This deliciously plush but savoury wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Sangiovese (22%) and Montepulciano (11%) fruit, predominantly from the highly sought after area of White’s Valley within McLaren Vale, a small but revered viticultural area, on the southern end of the Vale, a mere few kilometres from the ocean. The Mediterranean influence is undeniable. Complex savory tannins, powerful fruit expression, timeless elegance.

Tasting Note

Complex, beguiling yet restrained, and harmoniously integrated. Blueberry, black berry, blackcurrant, red cherry and elegant strawberry tones enmesh with gorgeous floral notes of rose petal and violets, which belie the incredible depth of the wine. Dark and white spices, white leather, and engaging hints of balsamic herbs and atlas cedar compliment the aromatic fruit. On the palate, savoury nuances abound, with toasted dark spices, dry roasted almond, fine fresh and dried herbs. A svelte, silky texture is overlain upon incredibly fine mineral tannin with polished slate and soft chalk, met with elevated fresh acidity providing a compellingly long drive and seamless finish. 

Winemaking

Mescia, the Super McLaren Blend, brings together 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese and 11% Montepulciano. Each parcel was picked separately, vinified in small open fermenters employing a combination of pump overs, plunging and rack & return techniques across the three parcels, maximising expression of each variety. Natural malolactic fermentation and 20 months maturation in new and seasoned French Oak was carried out, before painstaking barrel selection and blending trials to create the final wine. Light filtration prior to bottling, made without finings.

Vineyard

Lot 11 – Flour Mill Road, Whites Valley; Ridgehaven Vineyard –
Hahn Road, Sellicks Hills.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese reside on Lot 11, characterised by black Biscay clay with distinct limestone deposits throughout, atop Ngaltinga Formation. The Biscay clay promotes strong growth in spring but dries out and cracks in summer, releasing excess moisture and pulling back vine vigour approaching veraison, producing powerfully concentrated fruit. Whilst the limestone element imposes finesse and a balanced acidity. Montepulciano is grown at the Ridgehaven Vineyard on red brown clay loam soils, atop Christies Beach formation. Shattered rock appears throughout the profile, becoming more prevalent at its base where the Montepulciano rows reside.

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