2021 Mullineux Syrah Swartland

Winemaker Notes: This perfumed Syrah has notes of spicy citrus rind, refined black fruit, violets and lilies. The palate is elegant and restrained with a silky texture balanced by a fresh, natural acidity. The finish is long with supple tannins. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Tim Atkin - "Our coolest vintage ever” is how Chris Mullineux describes the 2021 growing season, which has produced a suitably intense, well balanced Swartland Syrah. Sourced from six sites on schist, granite and iron soils, it’s a youthful, focused, intensely concentrated red that needs another year or two in bottle, showing grippy tannins and layers of fig, blackberry and black pepper. 2024-30"


James Suckling - "I like the deep blue and black berry fruit here, with lavender and clove spice. Chocolate, too. Medium-bodied, focused and textural, with a solid tannin structure. Focused and well-balanced finish. Drink or hold."


Vinous - "The 2021 Syrah comes from a cool season with good water reserves that were crucial during the long harvest, designed to represent soil types in the Swartland. This vintage is 90% pressed whole cluster, raised in 500-liter barrels and then larger vessels. There’s blackberry and blueberry fruit, white pepper and light potpourri scents on the nose, opening nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, grippy tannins framing the compact black fruit mixed with graphite and white pepper. Powdery in texture towards the finish, there is real backbone here and impressive persistence."