Leeu Passant
Chardonnay Radicales Libres Vertical 2014 - 2016
Burgundy | South Africa
About the SessionSession 1showcases South Africa's world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, drawn largely from the cool-climate vineyards of Hemel-en-Aarde, Elgin and Stellenbosch. Producers such as Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Crystallum, Newton Johnson and Restless River sit alongside established names like Rustenberg, Tokara and Meerlust, reflecting the strides South African fine wine has made over the past two decades. It's an excellent opportunity to acquire benchmark bottlings from the country's most sought-after estates.
LOT 19
Leeu Passant
Chardonnay Radicales Libres Vertical 2014 - 2016
About this Item
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
2014
'Inspired by a Rioja winemaker, hence the Spanish name and 'extended barrel-age' styling. Riveting 2014 from Barrydale Chardonnay, matured in neutral oak in evaporative environment for 5 years, during which time 'everything' concentrated and turned savoury, resulting in a saltiness persisting through to thrillingly dry finish.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2020, 5* (96/100)
'Inspired by the oxidatively handled whites from López de Heredia in Rioja, this is a Klein Karoo Chardonnay that spends five years in barrel and is an attempt to "push some limits", according to Andrea Mullineux. Savoury, salty and bready, it has a dry Sherry-like note and wonderful texture. 2019-25.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 93/100
2015
'Inspired by a Rioja winemaker, hence the Spanish name and extended barrel-ageing - Chardonnay from Barrydale in Klein Karoo, matured 5 years in oak in evaporative environment. Yet style leans towards France's Jura, hence 2015's riveting high acidity, profound dryness, salted almond savouriness. Unfiltered.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (95/100)
'Andrea Mullineux makes this as a tribute to the white wines of the Jura and (old fashioned) Rioja. Sourced from a vineyard on slate soils out in Barrydale in the Karoo, it's left unsulphured in barrels for five years, where it develops some flor yeast, giving it a combination of salty, bready intensity and oxidative complexity. Inspirational. 2020-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 96/100
2016
'Chardonnay from Barrydale in Klein Karoo, matured 5 years in oak in evaporative environment à la Rioja, previously Andrea Mullineux's CWG wine. Arresting citrus tang on nose and palate, 2016 profoundly dry with salted almond savouriness, satisfying tannin tug. Shade less scintillating acid than 2015 (5 stars, 95 pts).' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 4.5* (94/100)
'A chance for Andrea Mullineux to let her hair down, Radicales Libres is a tribute to the oxidatively handled whites of López de Heredia in Spain. Made from Klein Karoo Chardonnay, it's a bready, layered white with notes of salted almonds, rancio and a chiselled finish. 2021-27.' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 96/100
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