Recent Press
We've been fortunate to receive some brilliantly positive press since the release of our first vintage
Movember 2009:
Jancis Robinson Greatest buys - Whites, 28 Nov 2009 by Jancis Robinson/FT
Mullineux, White 2008 Swartland 17/20 Drink
2009-12
Extremely tangy but deep and satisfying and wild. Very special wine. Firm and
bone dry with lots of honey and interest tucked in there. Exceptional. New
South African producer to watch. 13.5%
Movember 2009:
The 2010 Platters Wine Guide (tasted by a panel)
2008 Mullineux Family White Blend 4,5 Stars.
A new star in the ‘Cape White’ firmament. Mainly chenin seasoned with 7% each voig and clairette. 08 polished and expressive, beautifully controlled. Herb garden scents, lengthy, dry sugared-almond flavours; already delicious, will improve many yrs. Only older oak, ferm/11 months.
2008 Mullineux Family Syrah 4,5 Stars.
Affirms Swartland’s potential, confirms its singular character. Charcuterie, fynbos & cranberry fruit in a perfectly modulated body that’s powerful buy not extracted, warm yet not spiritous. 08 Structured to reveal full charms over time, rated accordingly. Some whole-bunch ferm, 11 months oak, only 15% new.
2008 Mullineux Family Straw Wine 5 Stars
Amber-hued ambrosia ex 60 yr old bush vines. 08 savory tones with apricots, apples & almonds. Racy acidity effortlessly buoys massive sweetness, ensuring ethereal lightness lipsmacking drinkability. A masterpiece. Air dried 21 days, ferm 6 months older barrels. 10g/l TA, 289 g/l RS.
September 2009:
Wine Spectator Issue: September 30, 2009
Mullineux Family Syrah, Swartland 2008 (Region: Swartland, South Africa)
Very juicy, with ripe, enticing plum and fig notes laced with a tangy sanguine streak. The long, fleshy finish lets spice and graphite notes emerge. This has good buried grip. Score: 90/100 James Molesworth
Mullineux Family Straw Wine, Swartland 2008 (Region: Swartland, South Africa)
Very sweet and lush, with date, maple syrup, candied orange peel and clove notes rolling through the viscous-textured palate. The long, ginger- and clove-filled finish has power, but stays focused. Chenin Blanc. Score: 91/100 James Molesworth
September 2009:
Jamie Goode, The Wine Anorak
Mullineux Syrah 2008
Swartland, South Africa
A brilliant first vintage. This has a profound nose of sweet dark fruits which
provide a backdrop to the meaty, dark olive, spice and black pepper notes.
There are real hints of the northern Rhône here, but with a bit more richness.
The palate is sweetly fruited and rich with depth and power, showing notes of
blackberry, spice, olives and herbs. Quite meaty with a lushness alongside the
savoury intensity. Youthful and complex.
93/100 Jamie Goode
September 2009:
eRobertParker.com's Wine Journal - Neal Martin
Swartland Comes To Town: Mullineux Family Wines
2008 Mullineux Family Wines White. 92/100
A superb debut from Swartland, a blend of 85% Chenin Blanc with the rest consisting of equal proportions of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Viognier. It has a wonderful Roussillon-like bouquet that soars from the glass with touches of white flower, fennel and grapefruit. Wonderful definition. The palate is very well balanced with freshly cut lime, grapefruit once again, citrus lemon and a touch of passion fruit. Very well crafted, nice weight on the slightly waxy-textured, almost smoky finish with a hint of fennel returning on the back palate. Lovely. Drink now-2011+ Tasted March 2009.
2008 Mullineux Family Wines Syrah. 89/100
A deep garnet hue. This has a wild brambly blackcurrant nose with touches of black olive and bilberry. Nice definition, although with aeration over a couple of hours it does tend to lose some clarity. The palate is medium-bodied with black fruits, black olive and brawny finish that reminds me of a fine Bandol more than a Rhône. Great potential, but I prefer the white in this debut vintage. Drink now-2012. Tasted March 2009.
2008 Mullineux Family Wines Straw Wine. 96/100
Poured alongside Yquem ’86 no less, this debut straw wine from Chris Mullineux was equal in stature…it’s that good. Pure Chenin Blanc cropped at 23-24 Brix, coming in at 10.2% ABV and 295 grams residual, it has a deep auburn colour. The nose is spellbinding with apricot, a touch of barley sugar, quince and a touch of lanolin. Wonderful balance on the unctuous palate but suffused with a degree of tension that so few sweet wines can pull off. Succulent apricot, honey and tangerine on the mellifluous finish. Pure and vibrant. This represents a show-stopping debut. Drink now-2020+ Tasted March 2009.
August 2009:
Olly Smith, Mail Online, 8 August 2009
Mullineux Family Syrah 2008
This is a genius wine from a youthful husband-and-wife team just setting up on their own. It's a real glimpse of South African potential. A magnificent floral, peppery, meaty and fruity trophy of glory. Glossy and powerful.
June 2009:
The Wine Gang (Tim Atkin, Anthony Rose, Joanna Simon, Olly Smith, and Tom Cannavan)
Mullineux Family Wines White Wine 2008
Swartland, South Africa, Dry White (Cork), 13.5% abv
This blend of 86% Chenin Blanc with Clairette and Viognier has a more Rhône-like than Loire character. Fermented with natural yeasts in older oak, it has a rich, powerful nose with apple fruit and the fat, lemony character of youth. On the palate this is restrained and maintains that powerful, textural density, with a taut mineral and white fruit edge, its leesy weight just adding a touch of breadth on the finish. Score: 91/100
Mullineux Family Wines Syrah 2008
Swartland, South Africa, Dry Red (Cork), 14.5% abv
Chris Mullineux, ex of Tullbagh Moutain Vineyards, has coaxed a fine, peppery, schisty, northern-Rhônish nose from his Swartland fruit. The palate has lovely black fruit that is sweet and pure, but there’s a sinewy, savoury structure too with a gamy edge that combines with good acidity to give this a long, food-friendly finish. A cracking first release. Score: 91/100
June 2009:
Decanter.com - Joanna Simon
Mullineux Swartland Syrah 2008
This is a restrained style of Syrah; the nose combines clean black fruit with some herbal and meaty notes. Full-bodied with a balanced natural acidity and black fruit characters, followed with an elegant concentration. A very attractive, classy wine.