Mullineux Syrah 2020 Swartland (Magnum)

Kleur:  helder lichtrood
Geur: zwart en rood fruit, tikje kruidig, viooltjes, mineralig, peper
Smaak: vol maar zeer elegant, sappig, veel fruit (kersen en bessen), tannines rond, complex, nog erg jong
Houdbaar: vrijwel op dronk, houdbaar tot 2031
Lekker bij: rundvlees, gevogelte, belegen en oude Hollandse kaas

Platter’s ***** 95/100
Expression of the Swartland, blending the 3 soil types featured in the Terroir range. 2020 90% wholebunch pressed, naturally fermented/11 months each in 500L barrels, 20% new, 2,000/5000L foudre. More expressive & complex than 2019 (4.5 stars, 93 pts), fragrant violet, wild berries, coriander & exotic spice. Supple & multi-layered, hint of white pepper on finish. Will age well.

Tim Atkin: 94/100
Schist soils on the Roundstone estate supply the core of this wonderful, textbook Swartland Syrah from a power couple who understand the variety as well as anyone in the Cape. Engagingly aromatic, with evident 90% whole bunches, notes of blood, black olive and garrigue and a core of succulent dark berry fruit. Wonderfully drinkable. 2023-29

WineMag 94/100
90% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 12 months in 500-litre barrels, some 5 – 10% new before being transferred to 5 000-litre foudre for almost a year. Alc: 13.4%. The nose shows red and black berries overlain by violets, fynbos and white pepper.  pure fruit, snappy acidity and fine tannins. Great flavour intensity and drive, the finish long and savoury.

Winemaking
Each parcel of grapes is chilled in our cold room then 10% is destemmed to tank and the remainder is added as whole bunches. Minimal SO2 is added and, as with all our wines, no further additions are made. The must is initially pigeaged once a day. After about 4 days, fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts and the wine is pigeaged once or twice a day, depending on extract and tannin development. Temperatures are kept below 28 °C. Fermentation lasts 7 to 10 days after which 3 to 7 weeks (also depending on tannin development) skin contact is given. The wine is then pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Each parcel is racked in Spring to blend the wine, which is then returned to barrel and later bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Maturation
Aged 11 months in French oak 500L barrels.

Tasting Note
The Mullineux Syrah always rewards with its signature Swartland perfume of mulberries, wild-growing, white Watsonia Lilies and black olive tapenade. The very structured palate follows with intricate layers of dark plum, kumquat and vibrant notes of sour cherry and finishes with powerful and velvety tannins. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.