Mullineux Single Terroir new releases

To mark the release of the 10^th vintage of Single Terroir wines from Mullineux, a vertical tasting of all vintages of Granite and Schist Syrah from 2010 to 2019, perhaps the biggest insight being that even in the case of such an accomplished producer as this, the wines have grown more sophisticated over time, the refinement of vision with each passing vintage plain to see.

Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Mullineux Granite Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R580

Grapes from a 1976 vineyard on the Paardeberg. Pear, peach, citrus and fynbos plus a hint of reduction on the nose. The palate is lean in structure but deep in flavour – well delineated fruit to go with a great line of acidity and a saline finish. Precise and harmonious.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Mullineux Schist Roundstone Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R580

From own vineyards on the Kasteelberg – first vintage since 2014. The nose shows lemon and naartjie plus some leesy complexity. The palate is rich but balanced with impressive depth of flavour and nicely integrated acidity. There’s a initially a certain breadth and thickness of texture to this wine, although the finish is long and savoury.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Mullineux Iron Chenin Blanc 2020
Price: R580

Maiden release, grapes from vineyards outside Malmesbury. Some gun smoke-like reduction before citrus, white peach and herbs on the nose. The palate is rich and round – dense fruit offset by tangy acidity, the finish again nicely savoury. The most forceful wine of the trio.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Mullineux Granite Syrah 2019
Price: R1 060

From a vineyard planted in the late 1980s on the Paardeberg. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Archetypal aromatics of red berries, fynbos, cured meat and white pepper while the palate is medium bodied and wonderfully balanced – good fruit definition, moderate acidity and fine tannins.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Mullineux Schist Roundstone Syrah 2019
Price: R1 060

From own vineyards on the Kasteelberg. 100% whole-bunch fermentation. Alluring aromatics of red and black berries, fynbos, black pepper and just a little flinty reduction. The palate is wonderfully pure and energetic – great fruit expression to go with snappy acidity and tannins that are firm but not astringent, the finish long and super-dry.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Mullineux Iron Syrah 2019
PriceL R1 060

From vineyards outside Malmesbury. Red and black berries, intense spice and some earthiness. The palate is full-bodied, richly flavoured and smooth textured. It sits quite broad in the mouth, the tannins providing a powdery sensation. As ever, the most opulent of the three.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

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