Why it matters
The producer
Mullineux is based at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward of Swartland. Chris and Andrea Mullineux established the winery in 2007. Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is the partnership between Chris and Andrea Mullineux and Analjit Singh.
Leeu Passant Winery is on Leeu Estates in Franschhoek. The combined business therefore contains a Swartland winery and a Franschhoek winery, with each retaining its own name and place.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Swartland is the setting for Mullineux at Roundstone in the Riebeeksrivier Valley ward. Franschhoek is the setting for Leeu Passant Winery on Leeu Estates. Mullineux carries Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Straw Wine, while Leeu Passant is associated with the Old Vine Project.
Wines to know
The range in view
The Mullineux range includes Syrah, a Chenin Blanc based white blend, Straw Wine made from air dried Chenin Blanc, and single terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines. The red bottles named here are Mullineux Granite Syrah 2021, Mullineux Schist Syrah 2021, Mullineux Iron Syrah 2021 and Mullineux Syrah 2021.
Mullineux Schist Syrah 2021 comes from the Roundstone vineyard on the Kasteelberg. It is typically made with whole bunch fermentation and matured for 12 to 15 months in 500 litre barrels, half of them new. Whole bunch fermentation keeps the stems with the grapes and can add perfume, spice and tannin. The wine shows potpourri, lavender, fynbos, red and black berries, olive, clove and pepper, followed by pure fruit, fresh acidity and powdery tannins.