Mullineux Single Terroir new releases

If the 2021 vintage of Syrah for Mullineux was one for the ages, 2022 hardly disappoints – this is a winemaking outfit – Chris and Andrea Mullineux –  that knows expertly how to ride out the vagaries of vintage. As for the single terroir examples of Chenin Blanc, they describe it as a “classic” Swartland vintage – no extreme weather events, balanced canopies leading to freshness in the end-wines. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Granite Eikelaan Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R810
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1976. Top notes of floral perfume and fynbos before pear, peach and citrus on the nose. The palate has a linearity and marked freshness about it – dense fruit making for good weight on the mid-palate, the finish savoury and slightly grippy. Harmonious and wonderfully detailed. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Iron Rondomskrik Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R810
Exotic aromatics of orange, stonefruit, melon and pineapple plus a leesy note. The palate is rich and smooth textured despite a moderate alcohol of 13%. Tangy acidtity lends balance while the palate is gently savoury.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Schist Roundstone Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R810
Citrus, nectarine, peach and fynbos on the nose while the palate possesses richness and texture but also focus and drive. Pure fruit and zesty acidity before a finish that has the slightly bitter quality that often gives this variety an extra dimension. Taut but not too lean. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Granite Jakkalsfontein Syrah 2022
Price: R1 420
Complex aromatics of red and black berries, a hint of orange, olive, fynbos and white pepper. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and powdery tannins. Poised and intricate, the finish pleasingly austere. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Iron Kasteelsig Syrah 2022
Price: R1 420
The nose shows flinty reduction, black berries, lavender and pepper while the palate is deep, rich and round with fresh acidity and firm tannins. Lush on entry but unequivocally dry on the finish. A wine with a certain sleekness about it. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Schist Roundstone Syrah 2022
Price: R1 420
Red and black berries, rose, fynbos, cured meat, a hint of vanilla, and pepper on the nose. The palate has striking clarity and balance – excellent fruit definition and fresh acidity while the tannins are super-fine but definitely present, the finish long and very dry. All of a piece, this glides across the mouth. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

Mullineux Olerasay 4º
Price: R2 480
Now established as one of SA’s great sweet wines, the latest version doesn’t disappoint. Dried peach and apricot, orange, potpourri, fynbos and mint plus hints of bee’s wax, caramel and nuts. The palate is super-dense with soaring acidity before a finish with a distinctly umami-like quality and pithy texture. Decadently rich but equally utterly engaging on an intellectual level. Alc: 8%.

CE’s rating: 98/100.

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