Burgundy/Champagne
Timed Online Auction, 11 - 23 October 2023
Burgundy & Champagne
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Since 2013, Chris and Andrea Mullineux have been working on a new project that focuses on vineyards outside of the Swartland appellation which have been specially selected by Rosa Kruger. Together with their partner Analijt Singh they launched their game changing Leeu Passant wines. Produced from old vines, including the oldest registered red wine vineyard in South Africa, these wines redefine the South African wine landscape. Their inspiration comes from past successes of the 50s, 60s and 70s, like Chateau Libertas and Rustenberg Dry Red. Their wines speak of South Africa’s heritage and bring the unique wines of the past into the future.
In their search for special Chardonnay sites, Chris & Andrea fell in love with this exciting vineyard on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. It has a Maritime Influence that leads to a clean, precise bouquet of citrus blossom, flint and salinity. The palate is packed with citrus zest and crushed shells and has a textured, vibrant and long finish. Only 3 360 bottles were produced of this their maiden vintage of this highly sought after wine.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘They are priced at the same level, but I prefer this Chardonnay of the two new Leeu Passant releases. Sourced from a vineyard on the False Bay side of the Helderberg, it’s a saline, ocean-influenced style with lovely elegance, lift and focus, subtle oak and a refreshing, palate-cleansing finish. 2018-25.’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 96/100
'This is a blockbuster wine. Sweet green quince, crunchy pears and pineapple pastille fruits, Bon Bon green apple crunch and subtle hints of struck match reductive complexity and gravelly, saline pithy fruit. Incredible acidity showing real power and drive, and incredible precision. High acid, bottled at 8 TA. Also such subtle, considerate oak use, fine integration of fruit and acids and again, like the Elandskloof version, finishes bone dry and elegantly restrained. A very impressive, complex Meursault’esque Stellenbosch Chardonnay illustrating the grandeur and terroir of this premium SA region. Superb… A must buy for Chardonnay obsessives!' - Greg Sherwood MW, 95+/100 (Mar 2017)
'Matured for 12 months in 228-litre barrels, 30% new. A dramatic yet beautifully poised wine. Citrus blossom, lemon and orange plus spice on the nose. Huge fruit concentration and driving acidity (total acidity is an astounding 8.1 g/l). Layers and layers of flavour.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100 (Mar 2017)
‘Gently mineral reductive stoney note. Crisp apple and citrus. Smoky and cool and stunningly fresh and definitely more citrus than on the Swartland Chenins – a real stony character, very dry and chalky finesse. Extremely tight and bone dry and so fresh.’ - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (May 2018)
‘The 2015 Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay had a similar analysis to the Elandskloof Chardonnay, but this had a quicker alcoholic fermentation and maintained a higher level of acidity, because of the difference in terroir. It is matured for 12 months in about 30% new oak. Now, this is a dead ringer for Burgundy with hints of almond and walnut infusing the citrus fruit, the reductive soil bringing to mind growers that employ a reductive style of winemaking. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, harmonious in the mouth with a pleasant sour lemon note that marries beautifully with the white peach and nectarine notes on the finish. Delicious, in a single prosaic word.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Apr 2017)
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