Vineyard Notes:

Our 2023 Old Vines White continues the marriage of old vine Chenin Blanc with Mediterranean varieties planted on the Granite, Schist and Iron based soils of the Swartland. The incredible texture and backbone of the blend is brought by the low yielding old-vine Chenin Blanc, grown on all three of our focus soil types. The Clairette Blanche and Grenache Blanc add layers of salinity and freshness and its opulent fragrance is from the Viognier, Semillon Gris and Verdelho. These vineyards are up to sixty-eight years old, and all sustainably farmed.


Production Notes:

Pressed whole-bunch, the juice is then racked to barrel for fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and lasts up to 10 weeks. The wine is left on its lees without additional sulphur until spring. During this time the wine finished malolactic fermentation. The barrels are racked and blended just before the following vintage and the wine is bottled unfiltered.


Maturation:

11 months in 3rd to 5th fill French oak 500L barrels and two new 2000L Foudre

95 points - "Bottled after 12 months, this is a very, very pretty vintage with lower yields but also beautiful fruit purity, precision and a wonderful fruit – acid balance. The aromatics are ripe, succulent and opulent showing honeysuckle, white blossom, lemon cordial, dried herbs and lovely white peach and pineapple pastille notes. Nevertheless, the stand out feature on the palate is undoubtedly the textural sophistication, harmony and chalky minerality combined with super tangy acids bursting with lemon rock candy, white peach and crystalline citrus flavours. Simply an incredible intensity with a harmoniously weightless balance combined with a long, piercing finish. This is definitely a noticeable step up on previous vintages and an incredible achievement for the Mullineuxs! Drink now to 2034+." - Greg Sherwood MW

93 points - "Outer quote mark Perfumed aromas of white peaches, lily and beeswax. Medium-bodied with oily texture. Rather supple with very good concentration. Mineral with an almost saline character. Pure, transparent and crystal clear. From vines that are up to 70 years old. 62% chenin blanc, 10% clairette blanche, 9% viognier, 7% grenache blanc, 6% verdelho and 6% semillon. Drink or hold." - James Suckling

93 points - "The 2021 Old Vines White comes from vines up to 70-years old built around Chenin Blanc, 62% in this vintage, barrel fermented in 500-litre barrels and a couple of foudres. This has a lovely bouquet with dried honey, white flowers, honeysuckle and light grilled walnut aromas. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, gorgeous texture with impressive tension on the finish. This is an outstanding Old Vine White that will age with style." - Vinous

92 points - "A graceful white, with creamed apple, pickled ginger, verbena, peach skin and chamomile notes gliding across the palate. Sleek and finely meshed, layering lightly mouthwatering acidity and an underlying streak of salinity with the pretty flavor range. Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Sémillon and Verdelho. Drink now through 2026." - Wine Spectator

91 points - "Composed of a blend of 62% Chenin Blanc, 10% Clairette Blanche, 9% Viognier, 7% Grenache Blanc, 6% Sémillon and 6% Verdelho, the 2021 Old Vine White is bright, fresh and focused with succulent stonefruit aromas that sway with a brilliant floral essence and sweet citrus tone. Medium to full-bodied, the mouthfeel is textural and refined with a delightful crunchy minerality and exuberance that displays power and finesse. There is a lovely flutter of oak spice across the long and subtly spiced finish. Just over 25,000 bottles were filled after resting for 11 months in third and fifth use French oak." - Wine Advocate