2015 Mullineux, Straw Wine, Swartland, South Africa

2015 Mullineux, Straw Wine, Swartland, South Africa

Product: 20151376300
 
2015 Mullineux, Straw Wine, Swartland, South Africa

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Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
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Description

Mullineux and Leeu Family Wines is one of the stand-out producers in South Africa's budding Swartland region. Winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux’s ambition is to bottle wines that are a true expression of the Swartland, and all steps of their winemaking process are taken with this in mind. They work closely with a select group of growers who follow sustainable, reasoned farming practices. “Leeu” (Afrikaans for “lion”) was added to the name recently to recognise the contribution of a new investor to the project.

Straw Chenin Blanc at its best. An explosion of dried stone fruit and bright acidity to balance the luscious sweetness, this Swartland pearl has incredible energy. An artisanal wine made with very little intervention in the vineyard and in the cellar, and in very small quantities. Get yourself one.

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate94/100
The 2015 Straw Wine (if you are looking for the 2014, it was not produced) is 100% Chenin Blanc as usual from schist and granite soils, although Andrea Mullineux pointed out that they look at the bunches as they need to avoid rot, whilst the bunches cannot be too small as they shrivel into not much. Delivering around 290 grams per liter of residual sugar, it has a generous clear honey, marzipan, almond and quince scented bouquet that is well defined. The palate is beautifully balanced, the acidity slicing through the viscous honeyed fruit, leaving a sense of freshness in the mouth that leaves you desiring more. One of the most elegant straw wines produced so far by Chris and Andrea.
Neal Martin - 28/04/2017 Read more
Jancis Robinson MW
Deep coppery gold. Intense and extremely sweet with a hint of VA but nothing to worry about. Just brilliantly sweet and concentrated with lots of tarte Tatin juice. Great vibrancy.
Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com, Nov 2016 Read more

About this WINE

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is one of the stand-out producers in South Africa's budding Swartland region. Winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux’s ambition is to bottle wines that are a true expression of the Swartland, and all steps of their winemaking process are taken with this in mind. They work closely with a select group of growers who follow sustainable, reasoned farming practices, as well as owning vineyards at their Roundstone Farm in Riebeeksrivier.

In the cellar, apart from minimal amounts of sulphur, nothing is added to or removed from the wine. They do not make use of any yeasts, acids, tannins, enzymes, or fining and filtering agents. “Leeu” (Afrikaans for “lion”) was added to the name recently to recognise the contribution of a new investor to the project.

Apart from their wonderful Syrah, Chenin Blanc-based white blend and a super-rich Straw Wine made from air-dried Chenin Blanc, fermented and matured in old barriques, Mullineux now has a range of spectacular single-terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines, each of which illustrates the amazing potential of the differing Swartland soils. Volumes of the single-vineyard wines are tiny, so availability is extremely limited.

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Swartland

Swartland

After Stellenbosch, the west coast district of Swartland (25 miles due north of Cape Town, between the towns of Malmesbury and Piketberg) now ranks as the Cape's most exciting wine-producing district.

Settled initially by nomadic Khoikhoi from Namibia, the Dutch brought trade and vines to the region in the 17th century. Viticulture was developed only more recently.

This contrasts with an ancient geology which has brought a mix of shale, arenite sandstone and granite soils air-conditioned by the Atlantic Ocean nearby.

Chenin Blanc and Shiraz seem to do best, as exemplified by the wines of Eben Sadie and Mullineux.

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Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.

In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.

In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.

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