Langton’s Selections Mitolo Savitar Shiraz, Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon, Mitolo Reiver Shiraz Mitolo has seemingly come from nowhere in no time. Yet it encapsulates what is possible in the world of fine wine. Sheer enthusiasm, brilliant timing, excellent resources and courage have propelled this enterprise into the big time. Frank Mitolo, the very youthful head of a thriving family agricultural concern, established the business in 1999. Ben Glaetzer, a highly competent and celebrated winemaker, was brought in as a partner. With access to low yielding, old vine material high quality fruit in both McLaren Vale and the Barossa, and exceptionally focussed winemaking experience, the wines have quickly established momentum in the ultra-fine wine market. Frank Mitolo’s Italian heritage is proudly articulated, yet the quirky and off-beat names reveal a more international mafia-like flavour. The Latin mottos are hilarious. The red wines are all excellent with a common thread of intensity, richness and volume. The G.A.M. Shiraz (named after the first initials of the Mitolo children) is a Southern McLaren Vale Shiraz from a 20 year old Chinese Block Vineyard. The wine is matured in around 70% new French oak hogsheads. The Reiver Shiraz is named after 14th century Anglo-Scottish border marauders, 'The flag flies red and white – for bloodshed and righteousness and the honour of the family'. The wine is a plush Greenock-based Barossa Shiraz rather than a blood and guts style. The Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon, named after a New York TV Cop with a reputation for going against the grain, is a chocolaty Amarone style based on Willunga fruit. The flagship Savitar McLaren Vale Shiraz, named after some mythical dragon – 'His great tail swept the stars from the sky and flung them to the earth' – is a richy concentrated wine with supple tannins. No thuggery is happening in the wine. The Jester wines are early drinking styles and comprise a Sangiovese Rose, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Mitolo straddles the cult wine scene and the mainstream fine wine markets. It is an important emerging producer with impressive credentials and influential following. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's