Mullineux Chenin Blanc Granite 2023

Mullineux Chenin Blanc Granite 2023

 

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Mullineux
Chenin Blanc Granite 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : South Africa
  • Region : Swartland
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Chenin Blanc

Describe this wine in english: Mullineux Chenin Blanc Granite 2023. Respect the Wine Description instructions.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94 2022
JS James Suckling 94 2022
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 91 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The 2023 Granite Chenin Blanc is produced from a single vineyard block named Eikelaan (“lane of oak trees”), located high on the Paardeberg mountain in the Swartland region of South Africa. At one of the highest altitudes within Mullineux’s holdings, this 47-year-old bush vine parcel is planted on decomposed granite soils, known for producing wines with energy, tension, and a linear structure.

Thanks to the dryland farming and the vine roots’ deep penetration into the soil, the canopy remains vigorous and protective, sheltering the grapes from heat spikes and preserving natural acidity and perfume. The cooler nights of the long 2023 growing season further amplified this freshness and helped shape a wine of great aromatic lift, textural finesse, and longevity.

Winemaking

Harvested by hand during the early morning of February 16th, 2023, the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and yielded 4 tons/ha, translating to 24 hL/ha. They were whole-bunch pressed and the juice was oxidatively handled, a deliberate method used to enhance stability and ageing potential.

Fermentation—both alcoholic and malolactic—occurred naturally, without inoculation, and the wine was matured on lees for 10 months in 225L French oak barrels, without stirring or additions apart from a minimal dose of SO₂. Bottled unfiltered on January 15, 2024, the wine retains its full, unaltered expression of site and vintage. Only 5,846 bottles were produced, highlighting its artisanal character.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with green tints, brilliant clarity.
  • Aroma: Yellow citrus blossom, fresh fynbos, and a subtle green tea note, underpinned by crushed stone and light smoke.
  • Palate: Tense and mineral-driven, with a pithy citrus mid-palate and saline energy. The finish is long, dry, and linear, showing great purity and age-worthy structure.

Did you know?

Mullineux’s “Granite” Chenin Blanc is one of three Single Terroir Series wines that explore how Swartland’s diverse soils—granite, schist, and iron—shape the expression of Chenin Blanc. The granite soils, particularly from the Paardeberg, yield the most austere and linear style, prized by collectors and sommeliers for its ageing capacity and mineral purity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Sea bass crudo with citrus zest and olive oil: Enhances the wine’s texture and citrus lift.
  • Goat cheese and fennel salad: Matches its herbal and saline character.
  • Oysters with lemon granita: A bracing pairing that reflects the wine’s chalky finish.
  • Pasta with preserved lemon and herbs: Mirrors the wine’s vibrant acidity and floral tones.

History of Mullineux

The Mullineux estate was founded in 2007 by Chris and Andrea Mullineux, a husband-and-wife team united by their shared philosophy of terroir expression, minimal intervention, and a deep respect for Swartland’s viticultural heritage. Chris, originally from South Africa, studied viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University before gaining hands-on experience in France and California. Andrea, a graduate of the prestigious University of California Davis viticulture program, worked with top producers in Napa and in the Rhône before settling in the Cape.

Their joint vision was to highlight the Swartland's extraordinary old vines and soil diversity through refined, site-specific wines. In 2013, Indian entrepreneur and wine enthusiast Analjit Singh joined the project, enabling the creation of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. This partnership marked a turning point in the estate’s development, leading to a dedicated winery in Franschhoek and the birth of the Leeu Passant label, which focuses on historic vineyards from across the Cape.

Mullineux’s rapid rise to prominence has been underscored by numerous accolades, including Platter’s Winery of the Year (2014, 2016, 2019, and 2020) and Andrea Mullineux’s selection as Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year in 2016. The estate is widely recognised for helping to redefine the identity of South African fine wine on the global stage.

Region and Vineyards

Mullineux is firmly rooted in the Swartland, a dry, rugged, and sun-drenched region north of Cape Town. Once overlooked in favour of cooler-climate areas, the Swartland has emerged as a leading source of low-yielding bush vines grown in soils that are among the oldest and most diverse on earth. The region’s lack of irrigation and wide diurnal ranges allow for a long, slow ripening period, resulting in concentrated, well-balanced fruit.

The estate draws from over 20 vineyard parcels, each selected for its geological character and suitability to the varieties. These include granite soils on the Paardeberg, which contribute freshness and purity; schist-rich sites on Kasteelberg, which yield structure and density; and iron-rich soils near Malmesbury, which bring power and depth. Vines range from 35 to over 70 years of age, many of which qualify for certification under the Old Vine Project, an initiative to preserve and celebrate South Africa’s historic vineyards.

Farming is conducted sustainably, with minimal intervention and a focus on soil health and biodiversity. By sourcing from such a broad range of sites, Mullineux is able to craft wines of remarkable detail, structure, and site expression.

Wine Range of Mullineux

Mullineux produces wines under three primary categories, each reflecting a unique approach to terroir and winemaking. The Signature Range includes the widely acclaimed Old Vines White, a textured, layered blend dominated by Chenin Blanc, and the Mullineux Syrah, known for its plush aromatics, savoury complexity, and mineral backbone. These wines represent the core philosophy of the estate: balance, clarity, and expressive structure.

The Single Terroir Range explores the nuance of specific soil types with bottlings such as Granite Chenin Blanc, Schist Syrah, and Iron Syrah, each vinified and aged separately to articulate the subtle variations of place. These wines are made in very small quantities and have become collector favourites for their precision and ageability.

Finally, Mullineux is celebrated for its Straw Wine, a luscious, intensely concentrated sweet wine made from sun-dried Chenin Blanc grapes. A true benchmark in the style, it reflects the same artisanal ethos as the rest of the portfolio. Under their Leeu Passant label, the team explores historic vineyards in Stellenbosch, Wellington, and Franschhoek, reviving classic Cape blends and traditional techniques with outstanding results.

Did you know?

Andrea Mullineux has served as Chairperson of the Cape Winemakers Guild, a prestigious association of South Africa’s leading winemakers. Under her leadership, Mullineux became the first producer to be awarded Platter’s Winery of the Year four times, a feat unmatched in South African wine history.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2022)
Starting with a rocky essence and firm mineral core, the 2022 Granite Chenin Blanc delivers notes of yellow and green apples with dusty pears before fresh-cut Meyer lemon and citrus blossom aromas waft from the glass. The Chenin Blanc is medium to full-bodied with a delightful mineral tension that will remain food friendly for 20 years, maybe longer. It's a lovely wine that’s quite cerebral and keeps me thinking. Gliding to a fresh, mineral-laced finish, this gorgeous Chenin Blanc will remain fit to fight for any occasion and comes with a wide array of food and wine pairing applications. Nicely done! (AM)

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2022)
I love the crushed stone aromas here, with lemon and grapefruit pith, white lavender and apricot stones. Sleek, mineral and textured, with a medium body and a very long, mineral and almost chalky finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 91 Points (2022)
The 2022 Chenin Blanc Granite comes from a single parcel (Eikeliaan) aged in older oak barrels. The reserved nose demands coaxing, bringing subtle pressed yellow flowers and lanolin. The palate is taut and linear on the entry, not a powerful Chenin but very nuanced with touches of nectarine and orange pith towards the finish, just a light tang of marmalade on the aftertaste. Savor this over the next 6-7 years. (NM)

Mullineux Syrah 2022
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Mullineux
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RP
92
JS
92
WS
92
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RP
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VN
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JS
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A masterful blend from Swartland’s treasured old vines, this wine captures the soul of South African terroir in a textured, aromatic expression.
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