From the Producer: A blend of Old Vine Chenin blanc with Mediterranean varieties, in 2020 this leads to a floral fragrant wine, with crushed stones, blanched cinnamon and an enticing nectarine and flinty focus. The full, layered palate is balanced by a vibrant acidity and flavours of yellow grapefruit and hints of aromatic spice.
WINE INFORMATION
Chris Mullineaux studied Accountancy at the University of Stellenbosch while his wife, Andrea, grew up in San Francisco and studied Oenology and Viticulture at UC Davis. After stints working in wineries in France, California and South Africa, Andrea and Chris met at a wine festival in Champagne. Sharing their love for South African wines, they chose to settle in the Swartland region (60 km north of Cape Town) in 2007.
The Swartland is blessed with an abundance of old vine Chenin Blanc which is the backbone of this white blend. Several small parcels of Mediterranean varieties are added for complexity, balance and aromatic lift. The grapes come from vineyard parcels in different parts of the Swartland: the stony shale and schist-based soils of the Kasteelberg, the decomposed granite of the Paardeberg and the rolling, iron-rich hills west of Malmesbury. Old vines for this blend are up to 66 years of age; grapes are harvested in late January to early February of the vintage year.
The couple takes a minimalist approach in both vineyards and winemaking. They use sustainable growers for the grapes and in the cellar, apart from minimal amounts of Sulphur, nothing is added to or removed from the wines. Fermentation takes place in barrels with indigenous yeasts and the wine is aged for ten months in large French oak barrels which are three to five years old.
East Asian (Chinese/Japanese/Korean), Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Fondue, Lobster & Crab, Thai or Vietnamese