Critics Ratings

2013 - 'Reflecting quartz-based soil of single parcel of Kasteelberg vines. Same winemaking regime as Schist but more expressive & fresher, with brighter acidity & spicy baked apple, almond flavours. Silk textured & intense, good length & ageing potential.' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

'The 2013 Mullineux Quartz Chenin is a new label that sits alongside the Schist Chenin in the same manner as their Shiraz. It has a quite remarkable and captivating nose that is a different species to the Schist Chenin: opening with glorious cinnamon, clove, hints of turmeric even. The palate is very vibrant and tense with fine acidity, quite compact and less expressive than the aromatics at the moment, with touches of spice towards the finish. Very fine, although I would allow it a couple of years in bottle to allow the palate to develop. Bewitching.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Oct 2014)

2014 - 'The best quartz-rich Kasteelberg (single) block in 2014 shows similar flavour profile, brightness & smooth texture to 2013 (93 pts). A classy expression of chenin in a style in between the rounder, richer tone of Schist & refined focus & acidity of Granite.' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

'The 2014 Quartz Chenin has a more focused bouquet compared to the 2014 Granite Chenin: pressed white flowers mixed with orange blossom, lime and chalk. The palate is fresh on the entry, a different texture to the Granite - stonier, chalkier in texture with freshly shaved ginger and walnut developing towards the finish. It might take a longer time to reach its peak compared to the 2014 Granite, but it is certainly an exceptionally fine Chenin.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Nov 2015)

'The white soils of this vineyard in Kasteelberg reflect heat back up into the canopy, according to Chris Mullineux. It’s correspondingly rich and textured, with 100% malolactic adding softness to melony, peachy flavours that are closer to Viognier or Chardonnay than they are to Chenin.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 93/100

'On the rich side, with notes of shortbread, lemon curd and creamed yellow apple, revealing hints of mirabelle plum, green almond and verbena that impart contrast and added length through the finish. Nicely done.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Apr 2016)

2015 - 'From quartz-rich single block. Unfiltered, as all 3, 2015 is richer, has more expressive fruit than Granite, lovely stonefruit throughout, threaded through with livening freshness. Admirable focus & length, as for the rest.' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2017, 4.5*

'The Quartz Chenin comes from a lower site than the Granite release, located towards Malmesbury. Showing more volume and weight, with dense, textured flavours of pear spice and tropical fruit, this is sensitively oaked and refreshing on the finish'.- Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2016, 93/100

'The 2015 Quartz Chenin comes from the Leliefontein vineyard this year, as signified on the label. It has a very different bouquet compared to the Granite Chenin much earthier and broody, pressed white flowers, then hazelnut and even a hint of Thai fish oil. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, harmonious and perhaps showing a little more nuance and personality compared to the Granite counterpart. Here, there is fine energy and tension on the finish, with a touch of spice lingering on the finish.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93/100 (Apr 2017)

Provenance

Private Client