Mullineux, Syrah Schist, 2017
Mullineux, Syrah Schist, 2017
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Syrah
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2038
The Mullineux Syrah Schist 2017 is a standout wine from the Swartland region of South Africa, showcasing the unique terroir of its schist soils. This wine is part of Mullineux's single-terroir series, which focuses on expressing the distinct characteristics of different soil types.
This medium-bodied Syrah has a structured, yet refined tannic profile. It pairs excellently with grilled or roasted meats, particularly lamb or beef, and can also complement dishes with earthy flavours like mushrooms or dishes with a smoky element.
Currently showing beautifully with primary dark fruit balanced by savoury complexity and mineral precision. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect the rose petal aromatics to become more integrated while secondary notes of leather, olive tapenade, and wild herbs develop. The tannins will soften further, though they're already quite approachable. The wine should reach its plateau around 2028-2038, where the fruit and savoury elements achieve perfect harmony.
What the critics say:
"The Schist Syrah is sourced from the extensive Roundstone property and, like its stablemates Granite and Iron, is fermented with whole bunches and aged in one third-new oak. Rich, savoury and concentrated, but with considerable underlying finesse, rose petal notes and refreshing, palate-cleansing acidity. 2021-30"
"The 2017 Schist Syrah has a much more outgoing bouquet compared to its Granite counterpart, offering ebullient dark cherry, boysenberry and Provençal herb aromas; fennel and star anise emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a liberal sprinkling of cracked black pepper and a feisty, open-knit finish. Just thoroughly pleasurable."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with violet highlights, showing good concentration and youth.
NoseImmediately expressive with dark cherry and boysenberry fruit, lifted by distinctive rose petal aromatics. Provençal herbs emerge - thyme, fennel, star anise - along with cracked black pepper and a subtle mineral undertone from the schist soils.
PalateMedium-bodied with supple tannins that show both structure and refinement. The dark fruit carries through with excellent concentration, while that signature black pepper spice adds complexity. The schist minerality provides a backbone of precision, with refreshing acidity keeping everything balanced and energetic.
FinishLong and feisty with lingering spice, mineral persistence, and a palate-cleansing freshness.
Overall impressionA thoroughly pleasurable Syrah that combines New World richness with Old World restraint and mineral precision.
Food Pairings
In the Swartland, this would be the perfect match for traditional South African braai - grilled lamb chops or boerewors sausage cooked over vine wood fires. The wine's savoury character also pairs beautifully with karoo lamb, slow-roasted with wild rosemary and indigenous herbs. Potjiekos, the traditional three-legged pot stews heavy with game meat and vegetables, would complement the wine's earthy complexity. The mineral precision makes it excellent with ostrich fillet, a local delicacy often prepared simply grilled with Cape herbs.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to showcase both the fruit and mineral complexity. A gentle decant of 30-45 minutes will help integrate the wine and allow the aromatics to fully express themselves. Use a medium-sized Burgundy bowl to concentrate the elegant nose while providing enough surface area for the wine to breathe. This isn't a wine that needs extensive aeration - its natural elegance and balance are apparent from the start.
The schist soils of the Roundstone property are among the Swartland's most distinctive geological features. These metamorphic rock formations are poor in nutrients but excellent for drainage, forcing vines to dig deep and develop concentrated, mineral-driven fruit. The warm Mediterranean climate is tempered by cooling Atlantic breezes, allowing for slow ripening that preserves natural acidity. The combination creates Syrahs with both power and elegance, rich fruit balanced by savoury minerality.
Swartland has emerged as South Africa's most exciting wine region, a semi-arid landscape of rolling wheat fields and ancient soils an hour north of Cape Town. Once dismissed for bulk wine production, it's now celebrated for old-vine Chenin Blanc and structured reds from Syrah, Grenache, and Rhône blends. The region's diverse geology - granite, schist, iron-rich clay, and shale - creates distinct terroir expressions that progressive winemakers like Mullineux have championed. No irrigation is allowed, making this true dryland farming that produces concentrated, characterful wines.
The 2017 vintage in Swartland arrived with the kind of drama that keeps winemakers awake at night and wine lovers reaching for their corkscrews. A challenging year marked by early season drought followed by unexpected late rains, it demanded every ounce of skill from the region's growers. Those who managed their vineyards with precision found themselves rewarded with concentrated fruit that retained surprising freshness despite the stress, whilst others struggled with uneven ripening and dilution from the autumn downpours.
What emerged was a vintage of striking contrasts: the best Chenin Blancs show remarkable mineral backbone with intense citrus drive, quite different from the richer style of easier years, whilst the reds reveal an appealing earthiness that speaks directly of Swartland's granite and schist soils. The Syrahs, in particular, display a savoury character that we find utterly compelling, with pepper and herbs rather than jammy fruit leading the charge. These wines are drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop until 2030, though the whites are already showing their considerable charm.
FAQs
What does this Syrah taste like?
Savoury and elegant with dark cherry fruit, rose petals, black pepper spice, and distinctive mineral precision from schist soils - more refined than typical New World Syrah.
When should I drink this wine?
Drinking beautifully now but will continue to develop complexity until 2038, with the fruit and savoury elements becoming more integrated over time.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with grilled lamb, roasted game, or anything with smoky, earthy flavours - the mineral backbone and black pepper spice complement rich meats perfectly.
Does this wine need decanting?
A gentle 30-45 minute decant will help showcase the aromatics, though it's approachable straight from the bottle - serve at 16-17°C in a medium-sized bowl glass.
How does this compare to other Swartland wines?
This represents Swartland at its most refined - the schist soils create mineral precision and elegance that sets it apart from more powerful, fruit-forward regional styles.
OUR GROWERS
Mullineux Wines
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