Mullineux Old Vines White 2023

The Mullineux Old Vines White 2023 hails from the Swartland region of South Africa, an area renowned for its old vines and diverse terroirs. The vineyards span several key sites across the region, each contributing to the wine's complexity and vibrancy. Soils range from schist and granite to iron-rich earth, providing a mix of structure, texture, and freshness. Swartland's dry farming and low yields from bush vines are crucial to the wine's concentrated, high-quality profile. The cool evenings of the 2023 vintage helped extend the growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop deep, concentrated flavours.

This wine is a blend of 62% Chenin Blanc, 13% Clairette, 10% Semillon Gris, 8% Grenache Blanc, 5% Viognier, and 2% Verdelho. The wine showcases the elegance of Swartland's old vines, with each variety contributing unique attributes. Chenin Blanc provides the backbone with its freshness and complexity, while the smaller amounts of Viognier and Grenache Blanc add aromatic richness. The resulting wine is a vibrant yet rich expression of the region, with great texture and balance.

The grapes were hand-harvested and carefully chilled before being pressed as whole bunches. The juice was allowed to settle overnight before being racked into barrels for fermentation with indigenous yeasts, a process that lasted up to ten weeks. The wine was left on its lees for 11 months in a combination of third and fifth-fill French oak barrels (500L) and a large new 2000L foudre. During this time, malolactic fermentation occurred naturally. The wine was bottled unfiltered, with minimal sulphur dioxide added.

You can expect aromas of fresh peach, poached pears, orange blossom, and dried honey, offering an inviting nose that hints at both freshness and complexity. On the palate, the wine is richly textured, with flavours of almond, yellow grapefruit, and a touch of ginger. The finish is long and layered, demonstrating fruit intensity and subtle oak influence, leaving a lasting impression of freshness and depth.

It complements creamy seafood dishes such as lobster or crab, as well as roasted chicken with herbs. It is also a good match for rich cheeses, such as Brie or goat cheese, and slightly spicy dishes, such as Thai or Indian cuisine.