2024 Mullineux Old Vines Swartland White
£29.00
“It’s worth tucking a few bottles of this flagship white away for a while as it improves with age. Chenin Blanc based with a supporting cast of 14% Clairette Blanche and 6% each of Garnacha Blanca, Semillon Gris and Viognier, it has masses of focus and extract, texture from 60% malolactic, pear, quince and white peach flavours and a racy, mineral-rich core.”
94 Points, Tim Atkin MW
“This mineral, compact white shows excellent depth, layered with aromas of crushed rocks, hazelnuts, flint, citrus rind and apricots. It’s full-bodied, stony and textured. Hints of chalk and nutmeg at the end. 68% chenin blanc, 14% clairette blanche, 6% semillon gris, 6% grenache blanc and 6% viognier, from old vines grown on granite soils in the Paardeberg.”
93 Points, James Suckling
“The 2024 Old Vines White comes from vines up to 70 years old on granite soils in the Paardeberg. This blend is predominantly Chenin Blanc (68%) and is aged in 500-litre used barrels and 2,000-litre foudre. It has a pretty, quite waxy, honeysuckle-tinged bouquet with a hint of wet wool. Fine delineation. The palate is very well balanced with a keen line of acidity. Taut and fresh, there is a little more pepperiness on the finish compared to previous vintages. Excellent.”
92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous
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Product Description
Founded by Chris and Andrea Mullineux in 2007, Mullineux is one of the most lauded wineries in South Africa, having been named ‘Winery of the Year’ five times by the Platter Guide (in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2023). Chris and Andrea chose the town of Riebeek-Kasteel, just west of Malmesbury in the Swartland, due to its old vineyards planted on granite and schist soils. They reasoned that, with such quality fruit, they could make outstanding wines. It is an understatement to say they have been proved right.
The Swartland is warm and dry in the summer, benefitting from a cooling afternoon breeze from the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the region to the West. Disease pressure is low, which, in turn, means spraying is kept to a minimum. The fashion for monoculture in the 1970s and 1980s bypassed the Swartland. As a result, most of the vineyards that Chris and Andrea own, or lease are planted with numerous native species like fynbos. These provide a home for native insects, which act as predators of other insects that can damage the vines. Again, this enables spraying to be kept to a minimum. Their estate vineyards are now in conversion to Regenerative Organic, a testament to their longstanding commitment to sustainable viticulture.
‘Old Vines’ White is sourced from eight low-yielding (between four and six tonnes per hectare) vineyards in the Swartland. It is predominantly Chenin Blanc, blended with a touch of Semillon Gris, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Verdelho. Fermentation occurs in barrel with 100% malolactic. The wine is then aged for 11 months in a combination of old French oak 500-litre barrels and 2,000-litre foudre.
Additional Information
| ABV | 13.5% |
|---|---|
| Bottle Size | Bottle 75cl |
| Colour | White |
| Country | South Africa |
| Critic Score | 94/100 |
| Drink until | 2034 |
| Style | Still |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Vintage | 2024 |
