Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Australian winery Mitolo Wines was founded in the late 1990s by Ben Glaetzer and Franck Mitolo, the latter of whom comes from a family of Italians who immigrated to Australia from Abruzzo in the 1950s. Today, the company, located in McLaren Vale, produces a wide range of excellent, award-winning wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from vineyards in McLaren Vale, on clay soils off the coast of the Bay of Biscay, dating back millions of years, with limestone deposits. After harvest, a portion of the grapes is left to dry on racks, as is done with some Italian wines like Amarone. The finished wine then ages in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American) for a year before bottling. The result is a dry, concentrated, and powerful red that reveals an intense dark red color in the glass and a broad, complex aromatic profile with notes of dark fruits, cedar, coffee, cloves, dried herbs, and hints of earth and tobacco leaves. On the palate, it has a medium-full body and firm yet ripe tannins. It is juicy, fruity, and generous. The finish is long, rich, and layered. It's a big wine, ideal for pairing with rich, flavorful dishes like herb-roasted leg of lamb, pappardelle with hare sauce, or venison cassoulet.