Mullineux Old Vines White 2023 Swartland

Mullineux Old Vines White Blend: 62% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette Blanche, 10% Semillon Gris, 8% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier, 2% Verdelho

Kleur: goudgeel met groene weerschijn
Geur: na flink walsen mooi complex, citrus, grapefruit, abrikoos, mineralig, steranijs, tikje vanille
Smaak: dik en romig, voldoende frisheid, citrus, bloemig, klein noot-achtig bittertje, balans!
Houdbaar: op dronk, minimaal tot 2032 te bewaren
Lekker bij: gegrilde tonijn, zeevis met rijke saus, kalfsvlees, ravioli gevuld met pittige kaas, (Cape Malay) bobotie

Maturation:
11 months in 3rd to 5th fill French oak 500L barrels and two new 2000L foudre

Yield:
Between 2 to 5 tons/ha = 30 HL/ha average.

Tasting Note Andrea:
This complex wine is our signature expression of the old vines and ancient soils from the Swartland. During the growing season, the vines were exposed to some heat spikes, but cool evenings and very little precipitation, which resulted in a slow and gradual ripening period and beautifully concentrated berries. Upfront aromas of fresh stone fruit and lightly poached pear follow through to a complex palate with layers of yellow grapefruit and nectarines, a vibrant acidity and hints ginger and citrus-esque galangal on the finish. This wine is best served at 10 to 12 °C and will benefit from ageing.

Robert Parker 93/100
This is a blend of old-vine Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Semillon Gris. The Mullineux 2023 Swartland Old Vines White gives you a taste of South African winemaking excellence at a very interesting price. The vines are planted on granite soils with a beautiful layer of clay five meters down “that acts like a sponge,” Andrea Mullineax tells me. This helps to concentrate and enrich flavors of preserved lemon, saffron and pastry cream filling. With each variety coming to ripeness at a different time, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed and not co-fermented. The Chenin Blanc, from dry-land bush vines, plays an important role in determining the lasting texture of the wine. It matures in foudre and some barrique, with 10% new oak.

Platter’s ***** (95/100) (oogst 2022)
Mostly chenin (72%) in 2022, with clairette, grenache blanc, viognier, semillon gris & verdelho, flagship white since 2008 (4.5 stars). Generous stonefruit, apple blossom, quince & pear combine with harmonious silky oak, 20% new barrel & foudre, 11 months. Elegant, poised & precise. Unfiltered. Ageworthy.

WineMag 95/100
Matured for 11 months in a combination of older barrels and foudre. Citrus, peach, herbs, ginger anda little waxy character on the nose. This vintage is substantial but completely harmonious – excellent fruit density, brisk acidity and a dry finish. Alcohol is 14% and the wine has good texture and weight.