2014 Mullineux Schist Syrah Swartland Mullineux Wines

The Mullineux' familiarity with this fruit - they've been using since their days at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards - shows in the confidence and balance of the wine. Floral, perfumed and complex, it combines aromas of lavender and rosemary with liquorice and blackberry flavours, stylish oak and its customary mineral core. One to age. Drink: 2016-25.

The Mullineux' familiarity with this fruit - they've been using since their days at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards - shows in the confidence and balance of the wine. Floral, perfumed and complex, it combines aromas of lavender and rosemary with liquorice and blackberry flavours, stylish oak and its customary mineral core. One to age. Drink: 2016-25

The 2014 Schist Syrah comes from a single vineyard, Roundstone this year, which is why you will see it on the label. It has a more upfront and bolder bouquet compared to the Granite Syrah, darker fruit in comparison, hints of cola, curry powder and white pepper, perhaps Cornas-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannin, the used oak beautifully integrated (500-liter barrels and foudres), offering judiciously spice-tinged black fruit on the composed, nuanced finish that displays great length.

Full ruby-red. Knockout nose combines cassis, blackberry, black raspberry, flinty minerality, black pepper, game and a floral topnote (lavender?); this reminded me of the northern Rhône. Highly concentrated, vibrant wine with lovely mineral pungency and lift and a strong impression of savory extract. This firm but refined wine finishes long and classically dry, with broad, smooth tannins. This will need time in the cellar to express itself; in fact, my sample held up brilliantly for days while showing more mid-palate pliancy.

Solidly built, with a core of succulent raspberry and blackberry puree flavors, lined with anise, singed alder and black tea details. A streak of iron races through the finish. Drink now through 2022.-J.M

Krydret mineralsk i næsen. Flot stringent frugt med masser af røde bær, peber og krydderier i smagen. Flot syre og modne tanniner. Vellavet med en lang afslutning.