Mullineux Granite Jakkalsfontein Syrah 2020 Bottle size: 750ml

'The deep GRANITE soils on this Jakkalsfontein farm allow for deep root growth and a larger natural canopy. This is incredible for allowing the grapes to retain acidity and purity which ultimately leads to tight, yet fresh tannins and a more lifted perfume. Like all 3 Single Terroir Syrahs, this wine is 100% foot-crushed, whole cluster, barrel fermented. Only natural yeasts take the wine through its fermentations and only hand plunging / gentle punch downs are performed for gentle extraction, just to keep the cap wet. After 4 weeks the wine was pressed back to the same barrels (the barrel sits on its bottom head for fermentation with the top head out, then it is replaced for maturation. The wine spends 11 months in 500L barrels and 1 year in 2000L foudres before it is bottled. This allows the tannins to develop, which are very long when Syrah is grown on Granite, one of the prime distinguishing characteristics of the soil type, and then lets the natural fresh and fragrant perfumes develop, and amazing blossoming of soil type-derived personality. Same block has been bought for over 10 years from 21+ year old vines growing on deep sandy decomposed granite soils with a hint of clay. The aromatics reveal a lovely spicy, floral array with an expressive lavender lift intertwined with sweet black peppercorns, red currants, black cherries and a dusty dry straw and fynbos herbal complexity. On the palate, the incredibly powerful but very fine-grained, drying mineral tannins lend a real classicism to the wine’s mouthfeel and finish. The red and black berry fruits are subtle and restrained showing real precision, purity and focused finesse. While it is probably more of an illusion created by the tannins and the fresh acids, the lasting impression of the wine is its incredible minerality and old world restraint. The sour cherry picante finish just puts the final finishing touches to a very classical and classy expression of Syrah. This is one for collectors and connoisseurs, drinkers who want to age their wines and then sip them slowly in lengthy contemplation. World class Syrah in every sense of the word. 2024 to 2040+.' – Greg Sherwood MW, 97/100

'Arresting aromatics – some smoky reduction before lilies, lavender and fynbos, red and black berries as well as pepper. The palate has great fruit concentration, bright acidity and powdery tannins. Pure and focused with a long, super-dry finish.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100

'Fermented with 100% whole clusters but no carbonic maceration, this is an intense, deeply coloured Syrah from the granite soils of what is now Adi Badenhorst's Jakkalsfontein vineyard. Grippy, firm and appealingly concentrated, with deftly worked 50% new wood, meat, blood and tapenade notes and a firm, layered finish. 2024-32' – Tim Atkin, MW, South African Special Report 2022, 96/100

‘The single-terroir Syrahs foot-crushed wholebunch, naturally fermented & gently plunged by hand; 11 months in seasoned 500L barrel, then year in 2,000L foudre. 2020 from 1989 dryland Paardeberg vines exudes violet & white flower perfumes, red cherry, fynbos & touch of black pepper, fresh acid & wet stone mineral farewell. Encased in firm tannins that need many years to unfurl. Powerful & regal, decant in youth, as all these.’ – Platter’s Guide, 5*(96/100)

'The ripening season of this vineyard saw fair weather conditions, resulting in the naturally balanced fruit purity, chalky tannins and enhanced aromatics present in this wine. The shaded canopy of this deep-rooted GRANITE Syrah contributed to hints of white Lily and light spice on the nose, red berry compote on the palate and a stony minerality on the finish. The wine will age at least 25 years and decanting is recommended when this wine is opened young.' – Winemaker