Mullineux Single Terroir new releases         

Andrea Mullineux says that 2022 was a “super interesting” vintage – lush spring growth required precision canopy management while harvest itself was characterised by heat spikes (rather than heat waves that others have sited) requiring careful picking decisions and resulting in grapes with “higher than normal textural extract”.

2021, on the other hand, was the coolest, longest vintage ever requiring patience when it came to picking, the positive outcome being favourable tannin development. Tasting notes and ratings for the relevant Single Terroir wines as follows:

Granite Eikelaan Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R760
Grapes from a 1976 vineyard situated at 400m above sea level on the Paardeberg. Compelling aromatics of pear, peach, lime, hay and a touch of flinty reduction. The palate is seamless – great fruit definition, well integrated acidity and some pithy texture to the finish. This has a lovely vitality about it, a triumph in what is generally considered a challenging year. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Schist Roundstone Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R760
Grapes from the Mulleneux’s own Kasteelberg property. Yellow apple, stone fruit, orange, melon and spice on the nose. Rich and relatively broad on the palate with some phenolic grip to the finish. More exotic than its counterpart above but still essentially savoury and balanced. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Granite Jakkalsfontein Syrah 2021
Price: R1 420
Grapes from the Paardeberg. 100% crushed whole-bunch fermentation. Complex aromatics of red berries, potpourri, fynbos, a hint of cured meat and white pepper while the palate shows pure and concentrated fruit matched by a cracking line of acidity, the tannins super-grippy but not coarse. A precise wine with captivating tension. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Schist Roundstone Syrah 2021
Price: R1 420
Grapes from the Mullineux’s own property. Already reviewed as part of a 2010 – 2021 vertical tasting – see here. The presence of this wine is what impresses – great fruit weight, bright acidity and chalky tannins, the finish deeply savoury. A wine of great sophistication. Alc: 13.5%

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Iron Kasteelsig Syrah 2021
Price: R1 420
From a vineyard outside Malmesbury. 100% crushed whole-bunch fermentation. Red and black berries, earth, violets and pepper on the nose. The palate is the plushest of the three examples of Syrah – luscious fruit, moderate acidity and silky tannins. Immensely pleasing to drink. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.