Notes

Due to time constraints set upon us with the COVID-19 Lockdown no original bottle shots were taken.

Critics Ratings

2008

'20% whole clusters used. Very floral and aromatic with lovely purity and elegance to the fruit, which is both red and black. The palate has lovely pepperiness and elegance with spice and fresh cherry and plum fruit. Lovely sweetness, too. Really elegant; almost profound, with a subtle meatiness. Beautiful wine.' - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak 2011, 95/100

'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.' – Jancis Robinson, 17/20

'Black olive and warm notes of brooding, rich fruit, underscored by broad, bright and chewy tannins. The wine has a wonderfully mature elegance with an almost Italian-like tangy acidity and the trademark Swartland tannin grip. Drinking well now.' – James Pietersen (November 2019)  

2009

'Eagerly awaited 2009 rises to expectations, showing healthy ripeness of vintage. Typically understated, but enigmatic & complex. As was 2008, a fine expression of artisanal winemaking, showing Swartland’s great potential.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2012, 5*

'The 2009 Mullineux is still rather primary and powerful with broad shoulders, dark fruit and meaty edges. It shows olive tapenade and blackberries with rich tannins and serious length. It is set to age another decade.'- 93 points Roland Peens (2019)

2010

‘Restrained & moderation triumph over excess in impressive 10, our Red Wine of the Year. Understated elegance, faultless composition & balance, mystifying complexity from back-to-basics treatment of special vineyard blocks. An icon in the making.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 5*

‘100% Syrah. Winemaker: Andrea Mullineux, age 33. A tantalising wine on the nose – not giving much away but suggesting a good deal. Light notes of dark fruit and liquorice. Then on the palate, that coal-like dark texture that I associate with vines on granite, giving a dry finesse and fresh length. So refined – tannins are fine but slide over the palate. All so restrained and elegant. Definitely northern Rhône in style. GV.’ – Julia Harding MW17+/20, JancisRobinson.com (2013)

2011

'A combination of soil types and vineyards, reveals a bouquet of flavours, although a tad less intense than 2010. Nonetheless retains understated elegance and streamlined balance for savouring over the next decade.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5*

'Deep ruby. Leathery nose and very convincing. Then black pepper in spades. And a hint of liquorice. This is like a Syrah from Central Casting! Definitely dry and made for drinking with food… Admirable!' – Jancis Robinson, 17/20  

Provenance

Private Client