Mullineux Schist Syrah ‘Roundstone’ 2017 (magnum)

Kleur:  donkerrood
Geur: bergamot, viooltjes, nootmuskaat, rijp rood en zwart fruit, fynbos, hint van peper, iets vanille
Smaak: balans, verfijnd fruit, tijm, olijven tapenade, vol en verfijnd, rijp fruit (zwarte kersen en bessen), rijpe tannines, complex, nog erg jong
Houdbaar: vrijwel op dronk, houdbaar tot 2040
Lekker bij: gebraden rundvlees (ribeye, entrecote, Côte de Boeuf), lamsbout met rozemarijn en knoflook, linzenstoof met Provençaalse kruiden, belegen en oude Hollandse kaas

Tasting notes:
2017 was the 2nd vintage of the Great Drought in the Cape and yields were again lower (-30%) than normal. However, by improving soil health with cover crops and mulch and by reducing crops early, the resulting wines have lovely concentration but also wonderful freshness. This is always the most structured Syrah in our Single Terroir range and this vintage is packed with dark fruit and has a broad but focused palate with lovely tannic grip. The finish is fresh, long and supple. Ageing potential 15 – 25 years. Decanting recommended when opened young.’ – Andrea Mullineux

Platter’s ***** (96/100)
‘From vineyard on Kasteelberg home-farm. Soil deeper, denser, little water-holding capacity, vines & bunches smaller. Fynbos scent, some smokiness, 2017 shows seamless elegance with a fine tannin structure, exceptional purity & vivacity. Long life ahead.’

96/100 Greg Sherwood MW
This beautifully manicured 20-year-old vineyard on the Mullineux’s Kasteelberg farm Roundstone shows a more tight and broody expression with darker, blacker berry fruits and more classical notes of black olive, cured meets, earthy savoury black plum and a sweet black peppercorn tinged berry spice finish. A super sleek, elegant and consummately confident, self assured polished expression of premium Syrah that epitomises the whole Mullineux red wine experience.

Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 95/100
‘The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30.’

Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100
‘From a single 20-year-old vineyard on the Mullineux’s Kasteelberg farm. Some smoky reduction before red and black fruit, fynbos and black pepper on the nose while the palate is marked by excellent fruit definition, fresh acidity and fine yet simultaneously grippy tannins. Long and dry on the finish, this is becoming a SA benchmark example of the variety.’

Vineyard Details:
Grapes for our 2016 SCHIST Syrah were from a single parcel of sustainably farmed 20 years old vines planted in the stony Shale and Schist soils of our farm, Roundstone, on the Kasteelberg. This parcel of Syrah gives the best expression of the Kasteelberg’s terroir – density and structure.

Date(s) Harvested:
Grapes were harvested between the 8th and 16th February 2016 with a yield of 4 tons/ha (24HL/ha).

Winemaking:
Grapes were first chilled in our cold room then the whole bunches were put into open-top 500L French oak barrels and foot stomped to release some juice. Minimal SO2 was added and, as with all our wines, no further additions were made. After about 4 days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and lasted about 10 days. A further four weeks of skin contact was given after which the wine was drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. We pigeaged once a day before, during and after fermentation. In Spring the wine was racked and after a total of 21 months in barrel was bottled unfiltered and unfined. 10 months of aging in bottle was then given before release.

Maturation:
12 months in French oak 500L barrels, 25% new, followed by 9 months in 2nd fill foudre.