Swartland

Musk, cranberry, pomegranate and black cherry lead a more powerful Grenache, with generous fruit, moderate acidity and powdery tannins.

Citrus, stone fruit, hay and herbs unfold in layers. Rich without excess, with fresh acidity, creamy texture and a precise finish.

White, green and yellow fruit, herbs, spice and flinty reduction lead a poised, concentrated palate with vibrant acidity and exceptional length.

Red berries, herbs, olive and pepper retain the cuvée’s savoury identity, with concentrated fruit, vibrant acidity and grippy, controlled tannins.

Intensely perfumed Syrah with black fruit, violet, pepper and herbs. Concentrated yet precise, with energetic acidity, firm fine tannins and exceptional persistence.

Perfumed Cabernet Franc with violets, graphite, black cherry and herbs. Pure fruit, fresh acidity and finely structured tannins give focus and excellent length.

100% whole-bunch Syrah from low-yielding schist. Deeply concentrated dark fruit, herbs and pepper retain freshness, fine tannins and distinctly Swartland savouriness.

This parcel, situated on the rolling hills outside of Malmesbury on distinctive Koffieklip soils, consistently produces fruit of remarkable concentration and energy. The wine opens with notes of flint and white pepper, alongside bright yellow orchard fruits, fresh orange peel and a subtle salty hint of ocean spray. The palate is crystalline and tightly wound, balancing intensity with precision, and unfolds with beautiful layers of fruit, mineral freshness and impressive natural extract.

Coming from the Mullineux estate’s own schist vineyard on the Paardeberg, the vines produce small, concentrated berries that bring impressive intensity and structure to the wine. There are notes of ginger, white pepper and orange peel, opening onto a palate of stone fruit and tangerine peel with a fine, chalky texture. There is a sense of focus and density throughout, underpinned by bright freshness and a hint of lemon balm on the finish.

From the Eikelaan vineyard on the Paardeberg, one of the highest-altitude sites in the region, this is a Chenin Blanc that combines freshness, texture and concentration with remarkable poise. There are notes of flint, ginger and quince, alongside hints of citrus peel and fennel, with a fine, noble bitter note of lemon pith and crushed herbs. Charged with energy, this is one of the most impressive wines from the Mullineux stable this year.

From the Jakkalsfontein vineyard, planted in the late 1980s on granite-rich soils, this is a Syrah of purity, energy and impressive structure. Peppery and intensely aromatic, there are notes of black olive, violets and crushed granite, while the palate shows dark black cherry fruit, hints of grilled meat and a savoury edge of wild herbs. There is remarkable focus and freshness throughout, with nervy acidity carrying the wine to a long, spicy finish.

From the iron-rich Koffieklip soils of the rolling hills around Malmesbury, this is a Syrah of deep fragrance, power and impressive refinement. Aromatics of black pepper, violets and smoky spice lead into a palate of dark berry fruit, black plum and savoury olive notes. The tannins are round and generous, giving the wine a broad, textured feel, while fresh acidity and a subtle mineral edge bring balance and lift. Complex, layered and persistent, this is a compelling expression of Swartland Syrah.

From Mullineux’s own Roundstone vineyard on Kasteelberg Mountain, where shallow schist soils produce small berries of great concentration, this is a Syrah of remarkable grace and complexity. Aromatics of black pepper, wild herbs, fennel seed and liquorice lead into a palate layered with black plum, dark hedgerow fruit and savoury spice. There is a fine balance between floral perfume, richness and freshness, while supple tannins build seamlessly through the palate, carrying the wine to a long, poised finish. Extremely impressive.

The 2024 Porseleinberg delivers a highly expressive and masterfully defined profile, leading with aromatics of crushed blue flowers, cracked peppercorns, and blackberries. Beneath this pure, dark fruit core lies an incredibly clean, mineral-driven backbone of splintered slate and wild thyme, defined by tight, fine-grained tannins. The palate builds with a quiet, structural intensity rather than sheer weight, carrying a vibrant energy and slate-like texture. It is a remarkably graceful, focused vintage that prioritizes structural tension and longevity.

The 2024 Porseleinberg delivers a highly expressive and masterfully defined profile, leading with aromatics of crushed blue flowers, cracked peppercorns, and blackberries. Beneath this pure, dark fruit core lies an incredibly clean, mineral-driven backbone of splintered slate and wild thyme, defined by tight, fine-grained tannins. The palate builds with a quiet, structural intensity rather than sheer weight, carrying a vibrant energy and slate-like texture. It is a remarkably graceful, focused vintage that prioritizes structural tension and longevity.

Sunned cherry, plum and crunchy blackberry meet fynbos and medicinal herbs. Sueded tannins and schist-derived structure support a bitter-kirsch finish.

Struck-match reduction opens to peach, citrus and pineapple. Lean and direct, with dense fruit, bright acidity and a bone-dry finish.

This is a unique blend of Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Viognier. In 2021, the wine features notes of clementines and fresh ginger spice on the nose and a melange of green apples and pears on the palate. It’s all held together by impressive acidity – brought by the Verdelho – and a beautiful texture. Donovan’s wines sometimes fly a little under the radar: with examples like this that really shouldn’t: this is one of the best whites you’ll try from South Africa.

Rose, potpourri, red and black cherry, olive and fynbos lead a light palate with racy acidity, powdery tannins and salinity.

This is a brilliant Swartland white that offers notes of lime blossom, generous stone fruit with a bright, saline backbone. There is an explosive energy to the wine with subtle ginger and white flower notes finishing with a delicate white grapefruit twist.

The Red blend is a blend of 68% Syrah, 27% Carignan, and 5% Mourvedre. The Syrah and Mourvèdre were fermented as whole bunches, carrying elevated aromatics and firm structure. Carignan was destemmed to preserve purity of fruit and balance. A fifth of the blend was matured in new oak, another fifth in concrete and the remainder in seasoned oak barrels. The Syrah leads on the nose here, with notes of wild herbs, juniper, and violets. The palate has a silky mouthfeel, with ripe plum and hedgerow fruit flavours with a subtle accent of tapenade and sandalwood on the finish.