Mullineux Single Terroir, `Iron` Swartland Syrah
Vintage: 2020
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MU110B20 | 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 the 'Iron' Syrah are sourced from a single parcel of 20-year-old, organically-farmed, dry land bush vines on the rolling red clay and iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. The soil-bed becomes generous during primary growth in the spring, but then around veraison time the clay in the soils stops releasing moisture and the vine compensates during this quick ripening phase by making small, intensely concentrated berries. This, combined with the lush canopy and medium-thick skins of the berries, results in round tannins and deep fragrance in the finished wine.
Vintage
After the drought experienced from 2016 to 2019, the 2020 harvest produced yields that were closer to normal. The Swartland had a wet and cold winter and very little rain during the growing season, which resulted in healthy bunches with small, intensely flavoured berries. The season started relatively late, and they were able to harvest the Syrah, a few weeks later than the past few years, with ripe and complex flavours and moderate potential alcohol levels. Although they were still experiencing very dry conditions in the Cape, the hard work over the previous five year period was clearly evident during this season, with very high-quality fruit coming into the cellar across all varieties and vineyards.
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 for gentle extraction. 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 (50% new), followed by ten months in foudre.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
The 'Iron' is the fullest bodied of Mullineux's Single Terroir Syrahs. On the nose, it is spicy and savoury, with aromas of dark plum, wild herbs and clove. The palate has ripe and velvety, yet firm, tannins with hints of orange peel, white pepper and a meaty character.
Alcohol (ABV)
12.5%
Acidity
5.2 g/l
Residual Sugar
1.2 g/l
pH
3.77
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 | |
| `Granite` Swartland Syrah | MU108 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Schist` Syrah | MU109 | R | Factsheet | ||
| `Schist` Chenin Blanc | MU115 | W | Factsheet | ||
| `Iron` Chenin Blanc | MU116 | W | Factsheet |