2018 Mullineux Iron Syrah Swartland Mullineux Wines

Broad, expressive and mineral-focused on the nose, the 2018 Iron Syrah begins with dark, opulent blackberry, black raspberry and dusty plum skin with notions of black pepper and savory herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is focused, tight and food-friendly and could benefit from an additional year in the bottle. However, it will undoubtedly drink gracefully until its 20th birthday and just beyond. The wine ends with a food-friendly and firm yet spectacular finish; just give it time.

The 2018 Syrah Iron has a high-toned nose delivering more blue fruit than the Schist Syrah, and certainly more floral and perhaps Rhône-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on the entry and granular in texture. Wonderful tension and mineralité come through on the graphite-tinged finish. This might ultimately be my pick from Mullineux's Syrahs.