G.A.M. represents the first initial of each of the Mitolo children's first names - Gemma, Alex and Marco.

'Honor nostrorum liverorum pulchrorum'
'In honour of our lineage'

Vineyard
The G.A.M. Shiraz comes from the Chinese Block vineyard which is located in the Willunga district at the southern end of McLaren Vale. The soils, which are heavy grey loam soils over sandstone, intermixed with black Biscay clay, combined with a maritime climate, contribute to an even ripening period and the development of rich fruit flavours and ripe tannins. Yield was around 2.3 tonnes an acre (40 hl/ha) from vines with an average age of 20 year old.

Vintage - 2006
A dry winter, followed by heavy rains, in spring, resulted in vines with healthy, balanced canopies on moist soils. A mild, early summer leading into
a warmer period during veraison stopped vegetative growth, allowing vines to channel energy into the fruit. Hot weather conditions caused some stress in late summer, with balanced vines showing great resilience and high potential.  Winemakers and growers did  however  observe crops to be 20-30% lower than the 2005 vintage. Reds were very fragrant with good acidity abd length. Shiraz showed excellent quality.
Vintage reports courtesy of the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board of South Australia

Winemaking
Each parcel of fruit for G.A.M. was fermented on skins for 10 days at cool and warm temperatures. The cool temperature assists in making the finished wine more approachable and the warm temperature gives more structure. G.A.M. uses a blend of the two. The wine was then pressed and underwent partial barrel fermentation followed by natural malolactic fermentation before racking.

Tasting Note
Keeping well within the tradition of the GAM style the nose displays masses of ripe plums, spicy aromatic herbs and lifted freshness. The palate is slightly tighter than the previous vintages, reflective of the slow and evening growing season. The 06 GAM has provided one of our most cellarworthy wines thus far.

Cellaring
Will drink well for 8-10 years

Tasting Notes
G.A.M. | 2006 (1150k)