Mullineux Family Wines Mullineux Syrah

For more information on these wines see the fact sheets below. mullineux_2010_granite_syrah_fact_sheet.pdf mullineux_2010_schist_syrah_fact_sheet.pdf mullineux_2009_syrah_fact_sheet.pdf 

Mullineux Syrah 2009

~ Wine Advocate Review by Neal Martin (eRobertParker.com, Aug 2011); Rated 92/100:

Sourced from six vineyards to represent the different terroirs of Swartland, the 2009 Syrah was 20% whole cluster fruit and it was raised in 10% new oak for 12 months. The nose is tacitum at first but a few swirls of the glass soon wakes it up with enticing scents of dark berried fruit, a dash of white pepper and kalamata olive that opens nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with plump blackberry, boysenberry and a touch of black plum with very fine acidity. This leads to a caressing, fleshy finish that belies the structure underneath. Classic in style, reserved but ambitious, the 2009 Syrah should repay several years aging.

For the sake of disclosure, readers should be aware that I have known Chris and Andre Mullineux financial backer long before they established Mullineux Family Wines. However, this Swartland producer it too important and their wines too good to pass over. Along with Eben Sadie, Chris has been at the forefront of the so-called Swartland Revolution. [Chris] adopts a minimalist approach to his wine with particular focus upon expression of terroir and this has resulted in the debut of two single vineyard releases (Schist and Granite Syrah), with the goal of translating the granite and schist soils of Swartland. This is Old World mantra applied to the New World to great effect.

Mullineux Syrah Schist 2010

~ Wine Advocate Review by Neal Martin (eRobertParker.com, Aug 2011); Rated 93/100

Matured identically to the Granite Syrah, the 2010 Schist Syrah is sourced from Riebeek Kasteel from the Kloovenberg estate. It has a wonderful, exuberant bouquet with ripe black cherries, blueberry and crushed white flowers with great definition and flamboyance. The palate is full-bodied with succulent dark berries, black olive, cassis, minerals and a touch of white pepper. Plush and vivacious on the finish, this should repay several years cellaring but with drink earlier than the Granite Syrah. Only 1,000 bottles have been released.

Mullineux Syrah Granite 2010

~ Wine Advocate Review by Neal Martin (eRobertParker.com, Aug 2011); Rated 93/100

The 201 Granite Syrah is the debut release from a new vineyard so it is not extracted from the regular Syrah cuvee. It is 100% whole bunch fruity from Paardeberg fermented in open top barrels. The nose coquettishly reveals bright red cherries and hints of crushed violets with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet entry, fleshy red-berried fruity mixed with white pepper and a touch of Provencal herbs, finishing on an Old World note that expresses great freshness, mineralite and precision. It has immense potential so leave this brooding Syrah for 3-4 years.