Following the great press we recently received in Decanter magazine, some more good news today from the UK on our new releases, this time from Jancis Robinson on her Purple Pages. She recently included our 2008 White as one of her few South African wines in her list of Summer Favorites, and the tasting notes on our new releases are unfortunately subscriber only, so we’re posting the notes here:

Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages

MULLINEUX SYRAH 2008 SWARTLAND

This has come on beautifully since I first tasted it last November.  Lots of north Rhône subtlety and refreshment factor. Great to see something buck the local trend and turn out something, in the first vintage, with real finesse. 17/20

WHITE BLEND 2009 SWARTLAND (60% Chenin Blanc, 10% Clairette Blanche, 10% Roussanne, 10% Viognier, 10% Grenache Blanc).

Stunningly refined and appealing for those of who like dry whites to taste as though they have some of the bedrock (shale in this case) soaking in the wine glass.  Beautifully judged with notes of jasmine, lemon peel as well as all that minerality.  Lovely now but there is so much tucked in there that I suspect it will develop beautifully in bottle.  A great effort for a second vintage. 17,5/20

STRAW WINE 2009 SWARTLAND

Pale coppery colour and awfully viscous but thanks to the acidity of Chenin Blanc, this from a single parcel of nearly 30 year-old vines, this has great refreshment value too. Lovely balance and delightfully approachable already.  This was probably very difficult to make. 18/20

2008, 2009, Decanter, Jancis, Jancis Robinson, Purple Pages, Straw Wine, Swartland, Syrah, White Blend

South Africa woke up to one of our biggest ever hangovers yesterday (spare a thought for how most Spanish must have felt though!), with the 2010 World Cup successfully completed, and the country having to go back to real life. It almost feels like the depression that hits winemakers at end of harvest, with most of the country not knowing what to do with ourselves!

The Italy vs Paraguay Match we Attended in Cape Town, 2010

Though the Swartland did not experience significantly more tourists during the World Cup, we have certainly benefitted from the added attention that hosting the event has brought to South Africa, and we in the Swartland and at Mullineux Wines have been fortunate with some great coverage in international media, and added business opportunities.

Lets hope we can make the most of it and keep up the momentum!

Back home the art exhibition we hosted in our cellar over the weekend went very well… here are a couple of pics:

Weekend Exhibition

But Is it Art?

A good crowd attended, and was treated to some interesting Performances!

Looking to the next couple of weeks… big news is going to be the launch of our new range of wines called Kloof Street… watch this space!!!

2010, Art Exhibition, Kloof Street, Riebeek Kasteel, Spain, Swartland, World Cup