Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines 'Old Vines White' Swartland WO 2022

After gaining experience at world-class wineries in Stellenbosch, Châteauneuf, Napa, and elsewhere, Chris and Andrea Mullineux started their own family operation in South Africa’s Swartland region in 2007. Chris (from South Africa) and Andrea (from California) chose their particular inland corner of the Western Cape province to take advantage of the area’s shale and granite soils, which lend a beautiful minerality to their wines, and the dry Mediterranean climate that allows for less intrusive farming practices. They work with a few sustainable growers throughout the region, and their approach in the winery reflects that nature-oriented philosophy. Using only indigenous yeasts, and with no additives aside from minimally necessary amounts of sulfur, they barrel age all their wines, bottling without fining or filtration. This bold, full-bodied cuvée is organized around old-vine chenin blanc, blended with small amounts of other varieties associated with the Mediterranean region. The result aged in French oak barrels (20% of them new) for 11 months. Richly aromatic of nutmeg and cloves, lime and pear, it exudes texture on the palate, finishing with a touch of almond. Sustainably grown.