Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom eight parcels throughout Swartland, with plantings ranging from 12-40 years-old, this is a 44/44/7/4/1 blend of tinta barocca, syrah, grenache, cinsault, and carignan. In the same way that Côtes du Rhône is more about the style than the grape varieties, that's the case here. It's juicy and approachable, with the syrah front and centre in the glass given the cracked pepper and crunchy black fruits. It's medium-bodied, fresh, and supple, even at 14.5% abv, with no new oak to get in the way. Simply delicious, and a great introduction to the Mullineux portfolio.Tasted: 22 March 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaInspired by time spent working in Côtes du Rhône, Chris and Andrea Mullineux wanted to create a fresh wine from a dry region. This is a blend of syrah, tinta barocca, grenache, cinsault and carignan, from 8 sustainably farmed parcels in different parts of the Swartland, and vines aging 12-40 years. Two parcels of Syrah and one parcel of Cinsault come from the stony Shale and Schist based soils of Kasteelberg; one parcel of dry land, bushvine Syrah, one Carignan, one Grenache and a single parcel of gnarly old dry farmed Tinta Barocca bush vine, come from the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg. Averaging 25% whole cluster, this was slowly native fermented (utilizing some 5000L fermenters) over 4-6 weeks, with daily pigeage. The wine moves to barrel for MLF before blending, and then a rest back in barrels (older 225L and demi-muids) for 11 months. Lovely wild black raspberry, sapid dark plum, brooding dark florals, leather, black cherry is imbued with fantastic peppery baking spices. Tannins are worn smooth, and acidity is easily in balance to counter Swartland's sun ripeness. Lovely balance and drinkability now in this full bodied red, especially with grilled pork or lamb.Tasted: 21 March 2020Tasted by: Prices:
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