Mullineux and Lleu - Old Vines White - White 2021
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is a family winery located near the village of Riebeek Kasteel in the Swartland region of South Africa . Founders and winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux have taken a natural approach to winemaking since the estate was founded in 2007 and work with winemakers who approach agriculture with sustainable and natural methods. The estate's company name was changed from Mullineux Family Wines in 2013 with further investment from Analjit Singh, adding 'Leeu', which means 'Lion' in Afrikaans. Mullineux wines are vinified with a minimalist approach. Other than a small amount of sulfur, nothing is added or taken away from their wines. The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts and macerated for around four to six weeks before being pressed directly into barrels. All Mullineux wines go through malolactic fermentation and are aged in French oak barrels. When ready, they are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Mullineux Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2021 is a blend of Chenin Blanc (62%), Clairette Blanche (10%), Viognier (9%), Grenache Blanc (7%), Sémillon (6%) and Verdelho (6%) from several vineyards grown sustainably and whose vines are 67 years old. Each vineyard has been carefully harvested by hand to respect the low juice to berry ratio inherent in old vines. After the fresh grapes were pressed into whole bunches with mild oxidation, the juice was left to sit overnight. The native yeast started the alcoholic fermentation which lasted up to 9 weeks and the natural malolactic fermentation was allowed to take its course. The wine was left on the lees in barrels until spring. It was then racked after 11 months, left to rest for a further 30 days and the final blend was bottled just before the 2021 harvest. This wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels with 3 to 5 fillings 500 liters and a new 2,000 liter vat .
Grapes: 62% Chenin Blanc, 20% Clairette Blanche, 9% Viognier, 7% Grenache Blanc, 6% Sémillon, 6% Verdelho