Winemaker Notes
100% Syrah. Grapes for the Mullineux Syrah come from seven sustainably farmed vineyard parcels in different parts of the Swartland: four parcels planted in the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg; two parcels of dry-land, bush vines grown in the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg; and one on the rolling, iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. Vines are aged between 20 and 27 years. 50% whole cluster fermentation and pigeage occurs once or twice a day during fermentation. Aged 14 months in French oak 225L and 500L barrels and 2000L foudre, 15% new. 13.5% ABV, pH 3.77. 2,630 cases produced.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Love this nose – so unmistakably Syrah in its fresh juniper, Provençal herbs and floral raspberry fragrance. It’s a super-fresh, drinkable style that’s very well balanced with plenty of fluidity and no overt thickness of texture. Beautifully detailed, crisp tannic lines, and while it’s not long it’s very satisfying, with a saline kick – a spitting-image for a good St-Joseph. Aged for 14 months in various sizes of barrel, 15% new. Drinking Window 2020 - 2025
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Wine & Spirits
A blend of seven parcels, some on shale and schist, others on decomposed granite and one on iron-rich soil, this is floral and spicy. The sweet black fruit is concentrated yet transparent enough to show off the herbal notes and cocoa-scented tannins. With its vibrant acidity, it’s friendly to drink now, although it also has the poise to age.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Syrah has an elegant nose of red and black fruit with subtle black pepper aromas and soft florals tones. On the palate, the wine has a shy yet chewy red core with a tannic edge that drives through to the mid-palate. The finish is grippy, with a firm structure, tight red-fruit tannins and black spice wound up with complex mineral tones. While it may be food-friendly now, it will last for years to come.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.