Mullineux et Lleu - Old Vines White - White 2022
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is a family-owned 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's inception in 2007 and work with winemakers who approach farming 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", meaning "Lion" in Afrikaans. Mullineux wines are vinified with a minimalist approach. Aside from a small amount of sulfur, nothing is added or removed from their wines. The grapes are fermented with native yeasts and macerated for approximately 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 2022 is a blend of Chenin Blanc (72.4%), Sémillon Gris (6.4%), Clairette Blanche (6.3%), Grenache Blanc (6.3%), Viognier (6.2%) %) and Verdelho (2.4%) from several sustainably cultivated vineyards whose vines are 68 years old. Each vineyard was carefully harvested by hand to respect the low juice/berry ratio inherent in old vines. Once the fresh grapes were whole bunch pressed with slight oxidation, the juice was left to sit overnight. The native yeast began 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 its lees in barrels until spring. It was then racked after 11 months, allowed to rest for a further 30 days and the final blend was bottled just before the 2023 harvest. This wine was aged for 11 months in 3-5 fill French oak barrels 500 liters and a new 2,000 liter barrel .
Grape varieties: 72.4% Chenin Blanc, 6.4% Sémillon Gris, 6.3% Clairette Blanche, 6.3% Grenache Blanc, 6.2% Viognier, 2.4% Verdelho