Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012:
'Muted, lively, very fine and subtle. Long and beautifully balanced. Imagine a blend of double cream and tarte tatin juice that wasn't sickly... Something very special rather than something to sip without food. I could easily imagine it with rich shellfish.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (June 2014)

.2013:
'The 2013 Old Vines White is the last vintage where the Mullineux's did not own any of their vineyards before their acquisition of the Roundstone farm. It has a lovely bouquet with orange blossom, dried honey, candle wax and nuanced crushed stone aromas. The palate is fresh and vibrant, slightly more viscous in texture than previous vintages with tropical notes of mango and guava. Then towards the finish lovely lemongrass notes emerge that fan out on the finish. This is irresistible. 13.5%.' ­- Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100 (Oct 2018)

'More wet-wool character than damp straw on the nose. Firm and mildly, attractively, medicinal. Lots of acidity. Still quite embryonic. The 2014 is still in barrel. Andrea reports that as they have evolved, their wines take longer and longer to open. They love the 2010 now. Tense and exciting, this.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Jan 2015).

'Made without Grenache Blanc or Roussanne this year, the Mullineux' white blend is still an impressive mix of mostly Chenin Blanc with Clairette and Viognier. Wax, toast, pear and a hint of banana are underscored by acidity.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 93/100

'This is alluring, offering creamed yellow apple and pear fruit, laced with ginger, persimmon and quinine notes, all backed by a long blanched almond accent on the finish, imparting spine and energy. Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Viognier. Drink now through 2016.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 90/100 (Jun 2015)

2014:
'Pale straw gold. Not straight varietal nose but lots of layers. Some honey and green molten honey. Complex and delicately made. Grip on the end.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (June 2017).

'A Cape standard bearer for this genre, from old vines. Chenin-led 2014, with clairette, viognier & splash semillon gris, similar baked apple & almond flavours & waxy texture to 2013 (4.5 stars, 92 pts), but more immediately opulent & appealing. Natural ferment in barrel & foudre, with further oak maturation (20% new).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 5*

2015:
'The nose is wonderfully complex with notes of apple, stone fruit, naartjie, orange rind plus spice, earth, marzipan and some yeasty complexity. The palate is rich and smooth textured with moderate acidity and a slightly grippy quality to the finish. It all makes for a big but super-interesting glass of wine.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100 (Apr 2017)

'This Chenin Blanc-based blend, with 12% Clairette, 6% Viognier, 4% Grenache Blanc and 4% Sémillon, opens with medium-intense aromas of apple skin, melon rind, honeysuckle, strawberry hull and orange pith. The full, medium-weight palate boasts ample acidity to complement the rich beeswax, orange oil and pressed flower tones, with a softly pithy texture that lends structure and length to the enduring finish. It's drinkable now, but should benefit from some additional maturity. 2020-2024.' - Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 92/100

'The 2015 Old Vines White is predominantly Chenin Blanc complemented by the usual other varieties and Grenache Blanc for the first time this vintage, planted around five or six years ago. It has a well-defined bouquet with scents of grilled walnut and candle wax, a touch of oyster shell just in the background. The palate is rounded on the entry with crisp acidity, smooth and harmonious with hints of walnut, white pepper and a dash of lemongrass towards the finish. It needs just a little more tension on the second half, but there is commendable weight and concentration to suggest that it will age with style. 2018-2028' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Apr 2017)

'Rich and satisfying nose - a wine that was served at our son's wedding no less. Broad but not fat. Quintessentially South African with chew and life. Lightly bitter but with masses of fruit.'- Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, (Oct 2017)

2016:
'The 2016 Old Vines White is one of the earliest vintages completed by around 7 February. It has a more reserved, aloof bouquet compared to the 2015, notes of crushed stone, fennel, white peach and just a hint of honeysuckle. The definition is very fine and it seems to gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, a touch more linear than the 2015, with real cohesion and persistence on the second half. There is a just a tang of Seville orange marmalade that lingers on the aftertaste. Tasted at the Old Vine White Blend vertical in London.' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2018)

"Texture is very important for us," says Chris Mullineux of this brilliant blend of mostly Chenin Blanc with Clairette, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Rich, dense and mouth filling, it's savoury, honeyed and subtle with fine-grained oak and balancing acidity.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 94/100

'Was 'White Blend'. Chenin base with 4 others, from older vineyards & Swartland's 4 soil types, so 2016's complexity is guaranteed: stonefruit, beeswax, unbalanced almonds, shot through with salty acidity. Seamless & pure.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2018, 4.5* (92/100)

2017:
'Mixing soil types and varieties (Chenin with Clairette, Sauvignon Gris, Grenache Blanc and Viognier), this old vine cuvée is wonderfully complex and exotic in 2017. Honeysuckle, aromatic spices, sappy acidity and pear and passion fruit heaven.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

'Older vines, some 80 years, 4 main Swartland soils. Chenin-led with 4 others, carefully chosen. Unchanging style & complexity, stonefruit & mineral, beeswax, almonds, 2017 brightened by saline acidity. Wonderful focus, intensity.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 5* (95/100)

'A blend of 65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Grenache Blanc, 10% Clairette Blanche, 10% Viognier and 2% Semillon Gris, it's just about got it all - enticing aromatics, great fruit expression and just the right amount of weight and texture. The nose shows citrus and stone fruit, earth and spice while the palate is really complex with layers and layers of flavour, the finish long and savoury. A real pleasure to drink.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (Mar 2018)

'The 2017 Old Vines White is a blend of 65% Chenin Blanc, 10% Viognier, 10% Clairette Blanche, 13% Grenache Blanc and 2% Sémillon Gris. This has a lighter bouquet than the previous vintage, featuring touches of honeysuckle and peach skin with white flowers tucked just behind. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and quite tensile, showing a subtle white pepper and marmalade note toward the precise finish. Very fine, although I have a soft spot for the hedonism shown by the 2016. 2019-2030' - Neal Martin, Vinous, 91/100 (Aug 2018)