Mullineux Single Terroir, `Granite` Swartland Syrah
Vintage: 2018
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | MU108B18 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Founded by Chris and Andrea Mullineux in 2007, Mullineux is one of the most lauded wineries in South Africa, having been named ‘Winery of the Year’ five times by the Platter’s Wine Guide (in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2023). Chris and Andrea chose the town of Riebeek-Kasteel, just west of Malmesbury in the Swartland, due to its old vineyards planted on granite and schist soils. They reasoned that, with such quality fruit, they could make outstanding wines. It is an understatement to say they have been proved right.
The Swartland is warm and dry in the summer, benefiting from a cooling afternoon breeze from the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the region to the West. Disease pressure is low, so spraying is kept to a minimum. The Mullineux philosophy is rooted in sustainable and regenerative viticulture. Their home vineyard, ‘Roundstone’, is a testament to this. The rows are interplanted with native species like fynbos, which provide a habitat for native insects and supersede the need for pesticides. Cover crops, composting, and careful attention to soil vitality allow the estate to retain water more efficiently. The rows are also planted along the contours of the land to reduce soil erosion. In 2025, Mullineux became the first winery in South Africa to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification. By enhancing soil health and making their vineyards more resilient, the wines are more vibrant, complex and expressive.
Single Terroir
Their ‘Single Terroir’ Chenin Blancs and Syrahs are produced in limited quantities. Working with three main soil types: granite, schist and iron, Andrea and Chris believe that soil is “the biggest fingerprint” on their wines. All the grapes are harvested at the same ripeness level and vinified identically, meaning the wines are truly expressive of the soils on which they are grown. The ‘Granite’ wines are characterised by elegant, perfumed fruit and nervy acidity. The ‘Schist’ wines have great depth of flavour and a ripe, spicy profile. The ‘Iron’ wines tend to be the most structured and full bodied.
Vineyards
Grapes for this wine were sourced from a single parcel of sustainably-farmed, 24-year-old, dry farmed bush vines grown on the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg. These soils have a layer of clay below the surface and a deep root system, protecting the vines from the region’s dry conditions. The resulting vines have denser canopies, which offer more shade and produce wines with excellent freshness and perfumed aromatics.
Vintage
The 2018 vintage experienced extremely dry conditions in the Swartland with average yields reduced by 50% of normal volumes, while some vineyards were significantly lower. The lower yields resulted in significantly smaller grape bunches and berries, but has led to concentrated fruit with complexity of flavour and aroma. The canopies were also more open allowing more sunlight onto the grapes resulting in thicker skins, more tannins and darker fruit aromatics. Veraison was late, meaning harvest started 10 to 14 days later than normal. Another vintage with tiny yields, but exciting quality.
Vinification
Grapes were first chilled in Mullineux's cold room. The whole bunches were then put into open top, 500 litre French oak barrels and crushed by foot to release some juice. Minimal SO2 was added and, as with all their wines, no further additions were made. After about four days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and lasted about 10 days. The cap was manually punched down once a day before, during and after fermentation. Following a further four weeks of skin contact, the wine was drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. The wine spent 12 months ageing in 500 litre French oak barrels (25% new), followed by nine months in second fill Foudre. After a total of 21 months in barrel, it was bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The 'Granite' Syrah is the most perfumed and elegant of Mullineux's single terroir Syrahs. This wine has a floral, spicy, cranberry nose and a tight, fresh structure with a silky texture. The palate has notes of succulent berries and delicate herbs and spices.
Alcohol (ABV)
13.5%
Acidity
5.1 g/l
Residual Sugar
2.1 g/l
pH
3.67
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | Old Vines Swartland White Blend | MU103 | W | Factsheet | |
| Syrah | MU104 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Straw Wine | MU105 | Sw | Factsheet | ||
| Olerasay 3º Straw Wine Chenin Blanc | MU117 | Sw | |||
| Single Terroir | `Granite` Swartland Chenin Blanc | MU106 | W | Factsheet | |
| `Schist` Syrah | MU109 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Iron` Swartland Syrah | MU110 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Schist` Chenin Blanc | MU115 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Iron` Chenin Blanc | MU116 | W | Factsheet |