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De Toren Private Cellar, Meerlust Estate and Mullineux
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About this Item
Established in 2007 by the dynamic husband-and-wife team, Chris and Andrea Mullineux have, in a very short space of time, established Mullineux as one of South Africa’s most celebrated producers. Their track record speaks for itself: Awarded Wine Enthusiast’s International Winemaker of the Year in 2016, Tim Atkin’s SA Winemakers of the Year in 2017 and Five times Platter's Winery of the Year (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023).
The secret to Straw Wine is harvesting Chenin grapes at normal ripeness levels to capture a healthy acidity. The grapes are dried outside in the shade until they are half raisined, concentrating flavours, acidity and sugar into a super intense, but balanced treat. Fermentation is in old French barrels with indigenous yeasts and can last up to a year. The wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Critics Ratings
'Impressive track record of 5-star ratings: 7 out of 8 vintages. Vast 380 g/l sugar in 2016 from chenin, but so much else: luscious molten apricots, barley sugar, nutty seam from year oaking. Mouth-coatingly syrupy yet brightened by racy acidity. 375 ml.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 5* (95/100)
'Sourced from the Mullineux’ richest Chenin vineyard, this has just the right combination of acidity and sugar for a straw wine, left on mats for three weeks to dry out. The volatile acidity is on the high side, but works in the context of the wine with its rich, figgy, balsamic intensity. 2018-25' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 95/100
'The 2016 Straw Wine was slightly deeper in color compared to the 2015. Because of the drought, the berries were smaller and skins thicker, leading to more concentration, although there is still just 8% alcohol. It has a complex bouquet, perhaps more so than the 2015 with a subtle waxy/resinous note that underlies the honeyed aromas, hints of apricot and marmalade emerging with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with superb tension and vibrancy, the acidity outstanding (it would be piercing were it not for the 366 grams per liter of residual sugar). There is plenty of energy here, an orgiastic straw wine that lacquers on the seductive honeyed notes, with a more phenolic finish than the 2015 that lends the intellectual slant, if you are not totally seduced. This is one of the best straw wines that the Mullineuxs have produced.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 97/100 (Apr 2017)
'Rich apricot purée. Beautiful balance and a freshness that’s reminiscent of Tokaji but it’s more accessible, more immediately fruity' - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct 2017)
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