In Stock: Mullineux Single Terroir Syrah
In our last Newsletter, we told you that we had the new Mullineux Chenin blancs, well, we received the Syrahs at the same time but thought we would split into two Newsletters - so here is Part Two - we are very happy to have the new Syrah releases in-store! Here are their tasting notes:
2022 Mullineux GRANITE Jakkalsfontein Syrah: Bottling Date: Production: Wine of Origin: Vineyard Details: 100% Syrah 6th November 2023 5 513 bottles / 459 cases & 130 Magnums Swartland The fruit for our 2020 GRANITE Syrah hails from bush vines planted in the decomposed Granitic soils of the Paardeberg and this wine has become our Single Terroir red most synonymous with gorgeous perfumed aromatics, freshness and length. These characteristics are mainly driven by each vine having to work intensely hard to get to the water source seated deep within the GRANITE structure. Date Harvested: The GRANITE Syrah was hand-harvested on 21st and 22nd February 2022 with yields of five tons/ha, which translated to 28HL/ha. Winemaking: The grapes benefitted from the protection of a cool early morning picking and were put into 500L French oak open top fermenters whole-bunched. Once crushed by foot, the indigenous fermentation process started, and very gentle extraction was achieved by doing punch-downs by hand. To accentuate the refined tannin structure of its GRANITE terroir origin, the wine was given skin contact for 28 days before being gravitationally drained and then pressed back into the same vessels for malolactic fermentation and further maturation. Maturation: This wine was matured for 12 months in French oak 500L barrels of which 50% was new, followed by 10 months in 2000L Foudre. Once bottled, the wine was aged for another eight months before it was released. Tasting Note: The ripening season of this vineyard saw fair weather conditions, resulting in the naturally balanced fruit purity, chalky tannins and enhanced aromatics present in this wine. The shaded canopy of this deep-rooted GRANITE Syrah contributed to hints of white Lily and light spice on the nose, red berry compote on the palate and a stony minerality on the finish. The wine will age at least 25 years and decanting is recommended when this wine is opened young. Technical Details at Bottling: Alcohol 13.5% - RS 2.2 g/l - TA 5.5 g/l - pH 3.67
2022 Mullineux IRON Kasteelsig Syrah: Bottling Date: Production: Wine of Origin: Vineyard Details: 100% Syrah 6th November 2023 2616 bottles / 218 cases Swartland Grown on the IRON soils of the rolling red hills surrounding Malmesbury, this organic vineyard is well-established on the clay and gravel-rich Koffieklip soils that are good at holding water. The soil-bed becomes generous during primary growth in the spring, but then around veraison time the clay in the soils stops releasing moisture and the vine compensates during this quick ripening phase by making the smallest grapes we have. This factor, combined with the lush canopy and medium-thick skins of the berries play a very important role in the natural construct of a Syrah with round tannins, an incredibly complex palate and deep fragrance. Date(s) Harvested: The grapes were hand-harvested on 8th February 2022 while the morning was still cool and yielded 4.5 tons/ha, which translated to 22HL/ha. Winemaking: In order to accentuate the IRON terroir, the grapes were foot-stomped as 100% wholeclusters 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. Tasting Note: 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. Technical Details at Bottling: Alcohol 13.5% - RS 1.6 g/l - TA 5.1 g/l - pH 3.82
2022 Mullineux SCHIST Roundstone Syrah: Bottling Date: Production: Wine of Origin: Vineyard Details: 100% Syrah 6 November 2023 6 030 bottles / 502 cases Swartland These very special and characterful grapes grown on the schisty slopes of Kasteelberg or “Castle Mountain”, showcase our estate, Roundstone and its tremendous ability to define Syrah grown on SCHIST soils. These rocky soils limit vine size and so the clusters and individual grapes in turn remain smaller with a higher skin to juice ratio, offering denser, more brooding tannins. Date(s) Harvested: The grapes were hand-harvested between 14th and 15th February 2022 with a yield of 4.3 tons/ha, which translated to 26HL/ha. Winemaking: Safeguarded from the high-summer Swartland sun in February, the SCHIST Syrah was picked during the cool morning air and the 100% whole bunches were immediately foot-crushed into 500L barrels. Only natural microbes took the wine through its fermentations and only hand plunging were performed for completely gentle extraction - just enough to keep the cap wet. After four weeks it was racked and pressed back to the same open top barrels. This completed the tannin development and allowed its dark perfume to flourish. Maturation: The SCHIST Syrah spent 12 months in 50% new and 50% 4th fill 500L French oak barrels and then another 10 months in 2000L Foudre before being bottled unfiltered. Tasting Note: The adapted natural resilience of the dry land SCHIST Syrah on Roundstone, has resulted in this wine showing pure freshness and superb concentration. The aromas show beautiful hints of Bergamot orange, fragrant dark African violets and nutmeg and the palate is lead by well-structured and harmonious Shist-derived firm tannins . This vintage has phenomenal ageing potential and would be best served at 16 to 18 °C. Decanting is recommended when the wine is opened in its youth. Technical Details at Bottling: Alcohol 14.0 % - RS 1.8 g/l - TA 5.2 g/l - pH 3.80
Mullineux Olerasay 4º Straw Wine: Bottling Date: Production: Wine of Origin: Vineyard Details: 100% Chenin Blanc 16 January 2024 4472 bottles / 372 cases (bottle size 375ml) Swartland The vineyards we chose to make this balanced, yet very sweet and incredibly special Straw Wine are naturally very high in acid, flavour and good physical structure. To achieve these qualities, the calibre of the old vine Chenin Blanc planted on the decomposed Granite based soils of the Paardeberg are fundamental. Date(s) Harvested: The grapes were hand-harvested between 2008 and 2023 with a yield on average 4 to 6 tons/ha, which translated to 24 to 33HL/ha before the desiccation process. The average post-drying recovery was 10-20%, translating to 2.4 to 6.6 HL/ha. Winemaking and Maturation: By picking the grapes at normal ripeness and then drying them in the breezy outside conditions for the desiccation process, we are not just concentrating sugar and flavour, but also increasing the intense, zesty acidity that we feel is so important in making a balanced Straw Wine. After drying for several weeks, the grapes were crushed and pressed to 225L barrels where a long, slow natural fermentation took place. Each year the fermentation stops at a natural balance after 8 to 12 months. A vintage Straw Wine is always bottled however a few barrels were selected to go into a complex Solera system of barrel-aging that was started with our first Mullineux vintage in 2008. We decided to bottle the first iteration of OLERASAY 1º which was a fractional blend of 2008 to 2014 when it was different enough from the vintage Straw Wine, followed by the 2º in 2020 and the 3º in 2022. The respective fractionally-blended OLERASAY 4º comprises of the 2008 through 2023 vintages, which is incredibly complex, bringing unstoppable length and freshness. Tasting Note: This beautifully sweet and incredibly rare cuvée immediately draws one in with notes of sundried apricots and Fynbos perfume on the nose. It has an unmeasurable concentration and incredible zesty acidity, making for a beautiful, balanced and refreshing drink during any occasion. The complex layers of citrus, candied ginger and marzipan will pair exceptionally well with hard cheese and charcuterie. Technical Details at Bottling: Alcohol 8.0 % - RS 365 g/l - TA 11.4 g/l - pH 3.33
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