Kloof Street

The 2023 Mullineux Kloof Street Old-Vine Chenin Blanc is outstanding! Many consumers have identified South African Chenin Blancs as some of the best fine wine values in the world and the Kloof Street bottling shows why. Swartland is a broad region that extends north from Capetown. The relatively dry climate and difficult growing conditions here yield wines with concentration and depth. The Kloof Street Chenin is drawn from three Swartland vineyards on both shale and decomposed granite soils. The Mullineux Kloof Street Old Vine Chenin Blanc has an intriguing bouquet of ripe pear, apple, tropical fruit, honey and citrus. On the palate, the pure apple, pear, citrus and pineapple fruit flavors are followed by hints of citrus peel and subtle herbs. All these nuances are enhanced by a rich texture and the subtle herb and spice tones that linger at the finish. 93 Wayne Belding

Tasted 18 months along, and the 2020 Kloof Street Chenin is showing the grape's prowress (not to mention the exemplary winemaker's, Andrea Mullineux). Kloof Street is a second label from Mullineux Wines, a champion old vine winery in the Swartland, guided by wife and husband Andrea (winemaker) and Chris Mullineux. This comes from 3 sustainably farmed parcels of chenin: 38 year old vines planted in the stony shale and schist based soils of Kasteelberg; and two parcels of 40+ year-old dry land, bush vine Chenin grown in the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg. This was whole bunch, native fermented over 6 weeks in a mix of stainless and 15% older French barrels, and bottled after 7 months or so, with no additions or deletions throughout. The youthful chenin has settled into its frame now, with more honeyed pear, subtle quince, yellow apple leading green apple and lemon peel on the slender 13% frame, now padded out some with adolescence. Chenin's characteristic acidity still nimbly pulls this through the lingering stony finish. One for enjoying now, ideally with sablefish or spring veg risotto.