2021 Mullineux Straw Wine Swartland Mullineux Wines 37,5cl

Made with grapes from granite soils in the Paardeberg, which tend to yield Chenin Blancs with higher levels of natural malic acid, this straw wine has become something of a Mullineux speciality. Air dried grapes are fermented in older wood to produce a sweet wine that matches pineapple, guava and dried raisin fruit with subtle wood and supporting freshness.

Ripe, fresh and brilliant in the glass, the 2021 Straw Wine offers purity of stonefruit with picturesque peach aromas and apricot purée before succulent honeysuckle florals seduce the nose. Medium to full-bodied and with only 8% alcohol, the wine somersaults across the palate with a brilliant sweetness, focus, precision and finesse, unwinding and uncoiling as it hangs in the mouth. It concludes with impeccable balance over the incredibly complex, long-winding finish. Its beauty is sure to delight for decades to come.

The 2021 Straw Wine is pure Chenin as usual from vineyards that have the best malic acid as it tends not to precipitate out in such a sweet wine. It is dried outside over three months, barrel fermented until it stops naturally (340g/L residual sugar). It has an irresistible nose with pure honey, orange, strawberry and even a slight Aszú like quality. The palate is viscous and intense, the acidity effortlessly cutting through the richness with a beguilingly pure and seductive finish. Yet another to add to the canon of fabulous straw wines from the Mullineux's.

Complex aromas of honied green apple, saffron and candied ginger. Full-bodied with bright, driving acidity and dense vibrant fruit. Layered and intense with wonderful length and seamless texture. Already delicious but will continue to get better with age. Drink or hold.