Red Wine

Mitolo Jester

Mitolo Jester

Shiraz

McLaren Vale

2002/2010

Notes from the Producer

Richard Tarlton was favourite among jesters to Queen Elizabeth I. Tarlton was the first to achieve national celebrity as a comedian and enjoyed a successful career in theatre as a leading member of the Queen’s Players. As a writer, he was the author of popular ballads and plays. ‘Jester’ celebrates the era where boredom was alleviated through humour and the banal through intellect.

Vineyard
The Shiraz grapes for Jester are hand harvested at around 4 tonnes per acre, from the Willunga district of McLaren Vale, South Australia.

Vintage – 2002
The 2002 vintage in McLaren Vale has produced some exceptional wines despite lower than average yields in many of the vineyards with many winemakers comparing the 2002 vintage with the 1990 and 1998 vintages. The summer was South Australia’s coolest on record and allowed for a cooler ripening period for all varieties meaning flavour ripeness was gained at high sugar levels, while good natural acidity was maintained. Shiraz showed intense colour, structured tannins and the flavours and ideal levels of natural acidity.

Winemaking
Each parcel of fruit used for Jester is fermented on skins for 7 days at cool temperatures to enhance pure berry fruit prior to pressing and then partial barrel fermentation. The wine is racked and returned to oak where maturation for 12 months follows.

Tasting Note
Intense bright red with purple hues. The nose displays ripe plummy fruit with a subtle touch of French oak. Ripe blackberry fruit on the palate combines with soft velvety tannins. Well rounded with good length. Will mature under screwcap for 6 years.

WineChump Notes and Update

I’ve been in love with the Jester for years, and I just got around to finishing off my 2002 stock and bought the 2010 vintage.  There is tremendous consistency in this wine, and I have to say I’m extremely pleased with the 2010 as much as I was the first one I bought in 2002.

Average price: $15.99
Find it at B-21.com