Mullineux Iron Syrah ‘Kasteelsig’ 2022

Kleur:  donkerrood
Geur: zwart fruit, zwarte bessen, pruimen, tikje kruidig, lavendel, peper, zwarte olijf
Smaak: vol en krachtig, rijp fruit (zwarte kersen en bessen), tannines stevig, complex, nog erg jong
Houdbaar: vrijwel op dronk, houdbaar tot 2045
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:
The IRON soils give us a Syrah that is rich and round, with gravely but plush tannins and yet for some reason this wine always has the lowest alcohol conversion for similar sugars across the Single Terroir (they are all picked at the same ripeness). The wine brims with flavours of dark plum, wild blueberry and hints of tomato leaf – and the full-bodied mid-palate, distinct charcuterie and chalky tannins are a true testament of its natural extract. The ageing potential is at least 25 years, and this Syrah would be best served decanted if opened young at a temperature of between 16 to 18 °C – Andrea Mullineux

Tim Atkin SA Special Report, 95/100
Iron always reminds me of a Syrah from Cornas: firm, a little gruff in a sense, but not without personality, intensity or ageing potential. Sourced from a one-hectare block in Malmesbury, it’s a compact, focused wine with fynbos, black olive and damson aromas and flavours, some blood and raw meat and very well-integrated 50% new oak. Needs lots of time in bottle. 2027-35

WineMag, 95/100
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%.

Greg Sherwood MW, 96+/100
The first thing I noticed about this wine is the incredibly small production volume, a mere 210 cases in 2022, which Chris confirms is the smallest production volume to date. Much of this was due to very strict grape selection as well as the vineyard still struggling in general to come to terms with the hangover and long-term effects of years of drought. Like the Granite Syrah, this cuvee shows a slight departure from is normal broody, earthy, meaty, bloody Northern Rhone style. Instead the aromatics are gracefully peppery with layers of damson plums, black berries, violets, lavender, and red bramble berry notes. Finally, after time in the glass, a slight undertone of blood and iron emerges, but they are by no means as dominant as normal, with the palate decidedly round and fleshy, layered with blue and black berry fruits, sleek integrated acids, and delightfully firm, polished tight grained tannins. The finish shows hints of salty liquorice, coffee bean, a subtle sapidity, and chargrilled charcuterie nuances. A rather riper, more elegant expression of the Iron cuvee that retains a critical amount of its archetypal old-world charm.

Vinous 94/100
‘it’s very complex… Superb.’

Winemaking:
In order to accentuate the IRON terroir, the grapes were foot-stomped as 100% whole clusters into open top 500L barrels where hand punch-downs took place to encourage natural and very gentle extraction. The fermentation cycles completed with indigenous yeast and microbes and after a further four weeks of maceration, the wines were racked and pressed to these original vessels for its maturation period.

Maturation:
This wine was aged for 12 months in French oak 500L barrels, of which 50% was new, followed by another 10 months in 2000L Foudre and eight months of aging in bottle before its release.