2016 Mullineux Granite Chenin Blanc Swartland Mullineux Wine

This is extremely complex on the nose with aromas of sliced dried apples and peaches. Hints of honey. Full body, layered and powerful yet dry and focused. Such composure and focus. Drink now.

The Mullineux's Granite Chenin comes from two very different Swartland parcels, which contribute richness and cooler elegance respectively. Appley, fresh and stony, with subtle baking spices, some beeswax and a backdrop of older oak and a leesy texture. 2018-24.

The 2016 Granite Chenin Blanc saw no new oak in order to articulate the terroir, the vines here calling Paardeberg Mountain home. The attractive bouquet offers beautifully defined scents of dried honey, marmalade, yellow plum and light acacia. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and quite saline in the mouth, presenting lemon peel, quince and touches of marmalade toward a waxy-textured finish that lingers in the mouth. Give this a year in bottle. 2019 - 2030.

Very juicy, with a bright mix of green fig, green almond, pear and yellow apple notes liberally laced with verbena and chamomile accents that keep this bright and fresh through the fairly plumptextured finish. Drink now through 2021.-J.M.