Andrea and Chris Mullineux moved to the Swartland region of South Africa in 2007 and quickly became one of the country’s top winemakers. The Kloof Street range offers wines focused on freshness, for everyday consumption.
The 2020 seems to me more complete and complex than previous vintages. This is perhaps due to the greater proportion of Syrah (69%, supplemented with Tinta Barocca, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan), a grape variety that the Mullineux master so well. The nose opens with notes of anise, leather, blackberry and raspberry jam, smoke. The palate is rich and ripe, enveloping at first, then fresh and tonic. Light, firm tannins provide relief and structure.
A great introduction to Swartland wines. Lamb chops or burger, chicken with black olives, merguez couscous.
Mullineux Kloof Street Rouge Swartland 2020, $22.90 (12483927), 13.5%
Aging: 1 or 2 years