Mullineux
This exciting young estate in Swartland South Africa was started by newlyweds Chris and Andrea Mullineux. They are at the forefront of a revolution drastically changing the reputation and quality of wine from the region. They use a natural minimalist approach to produce three wines of real character.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£403.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)"The hardest wine to make," says Andrea Mullineux of this Chenin Blanc from a nutrition-poor vineyard on the Kasteelbeg. But the effort is certainly worth it. Showing aromas of white flowers and gunflint, it has amazing focus, salinity and depth with linear acidity and notes of green apple, kitchen spices and umami. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
Vinous (91)The 2015 Granite Syrah was matured for 18 months in 25% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet of bilberry and mulberry fruit; white pepper and touches of clove develop with aeration. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannin, slight earthiness on the entry and truffle and black pepper toward the lightly spiced finish. This is very classy, perhaps just leaning to the powerful side of Swartland Syrah. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£519.64 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Generally shown first in a line-up of the Mullineux's three soil specific Syrahs, this is firm, dense and entirely whole bunch fermented with damson and blackberry fruit, sappy tannins, one-third new oak and notes of black tea, lavender and Mediterranean spices. Needs time. 2022-3 |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£476.44 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of brilliant soil-based Syrahs from the Mullineux in 2018, Granite hails from a 30-year-old vineyard on the Paardeberg. Structured and grippy, it's a wine that will reward patience, with clove spice from 100% whole bunches, notes of blood orange and blackberry, fine oak and a tangy, refreshing finish. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 5 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£409.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)We wine geeks love to discuss the relative merits of the three soil-specific Syrahs from the Mullineux. This is (just) my pick of the trio in 2019, sourced from a two-hectare block on the Jakalsfontein farm. Ginger and violet aromas segue into a palate of remarkable grip and persistence, with energetic acidity and a savoury, satisfying finish. 2022-29 |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 2 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2013 Iron Syrah has a roundness and softness on the nose that almost belies its complexity - red berry fruit, red peppercorns, rooibos and undergrowth scents that are very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, wonderfully savory and quite gamey, and beautifully balanced with impressive volume and sustain on the finish that you would have difficult distinguishing from a top Côte-Rôtie. This is an excellent Syrah, my only reservation being that there is a touch of heat on the finish. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 1 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
Vinous (91)The 2015 Iron Syrah comes from vineyards around Malmesbury and has a very fruit-driven bouquet of raspberry coulis, red currant and wild strawberry; touches of tobacco and wet clay emerge with time. The taut, linear palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity and fine precision on an almost Cornas-like finish that grips the mouth. Very promising. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 2 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Matured in 25% new French oak for 18 months, the 2016 Iron Syrah delivers more red fruit on the nose than the 2016, offering cranberry, raspberry, pressed flowers and something a little exotic – marmalade and a touch of tangerine. The medium-bodied palate shows a fine bead of acidity and grips the mouth, the whole bunches lending an (appropriately enough) ferrous-like finish. Excellent. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 3 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£476.44 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Now that Porseleinberg has changed in style, the Mullineux's Iron Syrah can adopt the mantle of the Cornas taste alike of the Swartland. Tannic and intense, it's a wild, dense, blood and guts style wine with lots of whole bunch intensity and a ferrous finish. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£518.69 |
|||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£380.44 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Basson is probably the oldest red wine vineyard in the Cape, planted back in 1900 and resurrected by Chris and Andrea Mullineux and Rosa Kruger. There are only 1,000 bottles from the 0.8 hectares, alas, but what wine this is: complex, long and refined with palate-caressing sweetness and layered, fine-boned tannins. The Musigny of the Cinsault world. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£391.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Andrea Mullineux makes this brilliant Chardonnay from a cool, False Bay-influenced vineyard at 600 metres on the Helderberg, using full malolactic, even in a warm, dry year like 2018 and 30% new wood. Leesy, vivid and focused, it has racy, stony acidity and flavours of lemongrass and buttered toast. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£298.84 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Chenin Blanc is the marquee variety here, with support from 26% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Semillon Gris, Viura and Verdelho, most of which is sourced from 37 to 70-year-old vines. Lemon, lime and wet stone flavours with some phenolic grip and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£147.64 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (95)Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£554.69 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Full ruby-red. Knockout nose combines cassis, blackberry, black raspberry, flinty minerality, black pepper, game and a floral topnote (lavender?); this reminded me of the northern Rhône. Highly concentrated, vibrant wine with lovely mineral pungency and lift and a strong impression of savory extract. This firm but refined wine finishes long and classically dry, with broad, smooth tannins. This will need time in the cellar to express itself; in fact, my sample held up brilliantly for days while showing more mid-palate pliancy. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£550.84 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2015 Schist Syrah Roundstone has a raspberry and mulberry bouquet, touches of rose petal and sous-bois emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline, and almost briny in the mouth. The grippy finish suggests it will require another couple of years in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£477.64 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30 |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£476.44 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£280.34 |
|||||
Vinous (96)The 2021 Straw Wine is pure Chenin as usual from vineyards that have the best malic acid as it tends not to precipitate out in such a sweet wine. It is dried outside over three months, barrel fermented until it stops naturally (340g/L residual sugar). It has an irresistible nose with pure honey, orange, strawberry and even a slight Aszú like quality. The palate is viscous and intense, the acidity effortlessly cutting through the richness with a beguilingly pure and seductive finish. Yet another to add to the canon of fabulous straw wines from the Mullineux's. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£163.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)One of my "go to" wines when I see it on a restaurant wine list, this intensely perfumed Syrah comes from seven vineyards, mostly on schist soils. Made with 90% whole bunches, it has more tannin than you think at first, layers of spice, violet and blackberry fruit and a refreshing tang. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£320.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)"The hardest wine to make," says Andrea Mullineux of this Chenin Blanc from a nutrition-poor vineyard on the Kasteelbeg. But the effort is certainly worth it. Showing aromas of white flowers and gunflint, it has amazing focus, salinity and depth with linear acidity and notes of green apple, kitchen spices and umami. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91)The 2015 Granite Syrah was matured for 18 months in 25% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet of bilberry and mulberry fruit; white pepper and touches of clove develop with aeration. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannin, slight earthiness on the entry and truffle and black pepper toward the lightly spiced finish. This is very classy, perhaps just leaning to the powerful side of Swartland Syrah. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£417.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Generally shown first in a line-up of the Mullineux's three soil specific Syrahs, this is firm, dense and entirely whole bunch fermented with damson and blackberry fruit, sappy tannins, one-third new oak and notes of black tea, lavender and Mediterranean spices. Needs time. 2022-3 |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£381.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)One of a trio of brilliant soil-based Syrahs from the Mullineux in 2018, Granite hails from a 30-year-old vineyard on the Paardeberg. Structured and grippy, it's a wine that will reward patience, with clove spice from 100% whole bunches, notes of blood orange and blackberry, fine oak and a tangy, refreshing finish. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 5 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£325.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)We wine geeks love to discuss the relative merits of the three soil-specific Syrahs from the Mullineux. This is (just) my pick of the trio in 2019, sourced from a two-hectare block on the Jakalsfontein farm. Ginger and violet aromas segue into a palate of remarkable grip and persistence, with energetic acidity and a savoury, satisfying finish. 2022-29 |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 2 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (93)The 2013 Iron Syrah has a roundness and softness on the nose that almost belies its complexity - red berry fruit, red peppercorns, rooibos and undergrowth scents that are very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, wonderfully savory and quite gamey, and beautifully balanced with impressive volume and sustain on the finish that you would have difficult distinguishing from a top Côte-Rôtie. This is an excellent Syrah, my only reservation being that there is a touch of heat on the finish. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 1 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91)The 2015 Iron Syrah comes from vineyards around Malmesbury and has a very fruit-driven bouquet of raspberry coulis, red currant and wild strawberry; touches of tobacco and wet clay emerge with time. The taut, linear palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity and fine precision on an almost Cornas-like finish that grips the mouth. Very promising. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 2 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Matured in 25% new French oak for 18 months, the 2016 Iron Syrah delivers more red fruit on the nose than the 2016, offering cranberry, raspberry, pressed flowers and something a little exotic – marmalade and a touch of tangerine. The medium-bodied palate shows a fine bead of acidity and grips the mouth, the whole bunches lending an (appropriately enough) ferrous-like finish. Excellent. |
|||||||||
|
Western Cape | 3 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£381.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Now that Porseleinberg has changed in style, the Mullineux's Iron Syrah can adopt the mantle of the Cornas taste alike of the Swartland. Tannic and intense, it's a wild, dense, blood and guts style wine with lots of whole bunch intensity and a ferrous finish. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | - |
In Bond
£413.00 |
|||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£301.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Basson is probably the oldest red wine vineyard in the Cape, planted back in 1900 and resurrected by Chris and Andrea Mullineux and Rosa Kruger. There are only 1,000 bottles from the 0.8 hectares, alas, but what wine this is: complex, long and refined with palate-caressing sweetness and layered, fine-boned tannins. The Musigny of the Cinsault world. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£310.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)Andrea Mullineux makes this brilliant Chardonnay from a cool, False Bay-influenced vineyard at 600 metres on the Helderberg, using full malolactic, even in a warm, dry year like 2018 and 30% new wood. Leesy, vivid and focused, it has racy, stony acidity and flavours of lemongrass and buttered toast. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£233.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Chenin Blanc is the marquee variety here, with support from 26% Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Semillon Gris, Viura and Verdelho, most of which is sourced from 37 to 70-year-old vines. Lemon, lime and wet stone flavours with some phenolic grip and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (GS) |
In Bond
£107.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (95)Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | - |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
|
Coastal Region | 4 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Full ruby-red. Knockout nose combines cassis, blackberry, black raspberry, flinty minerality, black pepper, game and a floral topnote (lavender?); this reminded me of the northern Rhône. Highly concentrated, vibrant wine with lovely mineral pungency and lift and a strong impression of savory extract. This firm but refined wine finishes long and classically dry, with broad, smooth tannins. This will need time in the cellar to express itself; in fact, my sample held up brilliantly for days while showing more mid-palate pliancy. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£443.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2015 Schist Syrah Roundstone has a raspberry and mulberry bouquet, touches of rose petal and sous-bois emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite saline, and almost briny in the mouth. The grippy finish suggests it will require another couple of years in bottle. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£382.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30 |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£381.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)My pick of the three top Mullineux Syrahs in 2018, this world-class red is the most perfumed and alluring of the trio right now. Combining fruit from the Kasteelberg and Roundstone, this has violet and lavender aromas, some sap and grip from 100% whole bunches, incredible focus and grip and a plush, seductive mid palate. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 2 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£224.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96)The 2021 Straw Wine is pure Chenin as usual from vineyards that have the best malic acid as it tends not to precipitate out in such a sweet wine. It is dried outside over three months, barrel fermented until it stops naturally (340g/L residual sugar). It has an irresistible nose with pure honey, orange, strawberry and even a slight Aszú like quality. The palate is viscous and intense, the acidity effortlessly cutting through the richness with a beguilingly pure and seductive finish. Yet another to add to the canon of fabulous straw wines from the Mullineux's. |
|||||||||
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)One of my "go to" wines when I see it on a restaurant wine list, this intensely perfumed Syrah comes from seven vineyards, mostly on schist soils. Made with 90% whole bunches, it has more tannin than you think at first, layers of spice, violet and blackberry fruit and a refreshing tang. |