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Live Virtual Auction, 11 - 13 April 2021
De Toren Private Cellar, Meerlust Estate and Mullineux
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About this Item
Established in 2007 by the dynamic husband-and-wife team, Chris and Andrea Mullineux have, in a very short space of time, established Mullineux as one of South Africa’s most celebrated producers. Their track record speaks for itself: Awarded Wine Enthusiast’s International Winemaker of the Year in 2016, Tim Atkin’s SA Winemakers of the Year in 2017 and Five times Platter's Winery of the Year (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023).
The Swartland is blessed with an abundance of old vine Chenin and we use this as the backbone of our white blend. We then add several small parcels of Mediterranean varieties for complexity, balance and aromatic lift. The grapes come from vineyard parcels in different parts of the Swartland: the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg, the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg and the rolling, iron-rich hills west of Malmesbury.
Provenance
Producer
Critics Ratings
2014 - 'A Cape standard bearer for this genre, from old vines. Chenin-led 2014, with clairette, viognier & splash semillon gris, similar baked apple & almond flavours & waxy texture to 2013 (4.5 stars, 92 pts), but more immediately opulent & appealing. Natural ferment in barrel & foudre, with further oak maturation (20% new).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 5*
2015 - 'Style benchmark. Chenin-led with 4 others, 2015 mainly dryland vines, combo soils. Natural ferment in barrel & foudre, year more in barrel, unfiltered. Stonefruit, fresh & dried, almond, lovely waxy note. 20% new oak. Follows stellar 2014 (5 stars, 96 pts) & is as involving.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*
2016 - 'Was ‘White Blend’. Chenin base with 4 others, from older vineyards & Swartland’s 4 soil types, so 2016’s complexity is guaranteed: stonefruit, beeswax, unbalanced almonds, shot through with salty acidity. Seamless & pure.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)
2017 - 'Older vines, some 80 years, 4 main Swartland soils. Chenin-led with 4 others, carefully chosen. Unchanging style & complexity, stonefruit & mineral, beeswax, almonds, 2017 brightened by saline acidity. Wonderful focus, intensity.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019,5* (95/100)
2018 - 'Senior vines, some veterans of 80 seasons, in 4 main Swartland soils. 2018 chenin-led with 4 others, harmonious melody of stonefruit, minerals & flowers, same brightening saline acidity as previous. A wine with soul & character, & only one beside Rouge with portion new oak, 20%, deftly handled.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020,5* (96/100)
2019 - 'Masterly blend showing fruit & floral complexity, salty acidity & whisper oak spice (20% new). 2019 chenin (66%) with 4 other stalwarts plus verdelho & macabeo - former enhancing acidity, latter texture - in 4 main Swartland soils, like 2018 (5 stars, 96 pts). Year mixed-size wood. Worth ageing.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 4.5* (93/100)