Mullineux Syrah 2015

Scaling up.

Grapes for this wine from Andrea and Chris Mullineux come from seven different vineyards planted variously on schist, granite and iron soils across the Swartland. Fermentation was 50% whole-bunch and maturation lasted 14 months in a combination of 225-litre and 500-litre barrels plus 2000-litre foudre, 15% new. Total production is 31 560 bottles and 580 magnums

The nose shows red and black fruit, fynbos and a little reduction. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the wine leaving you with a sort of olive brine impression. It’s very well put together, perhaps not as thrilling as the Single Terroir wines (see here) from the same outfit but at R300 a bottle, that much more affordable.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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