2018 Mullineux Schist Syrah Swartland Mullineux Wines

Awe-inspiring stuff, the 2018 Schist Syrah begins with a compact frame and intoxicating floral expression with a dark red-fruited nature and complex rocky tones under gorgeous aromas of violets and white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is impeccably balanced, offering juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins that will undoubtedly integrate over time to be completely seamless. This delicious Syrah concludes with fantastic highlights of crunchy red fruit and game hints and is my top vote for Mullineux's soil-series Syrah this year. Bravo! I find myself pausing and smelling the wine in the glass rather than drinking it, which is a sign of world-class wine to me.

The 2018 Syrah Schist was matured identically to the Granite Syrah. It is more open on the nose, with a greater proportion of red fruit compared to the 2018 Granite, raspberry and wild strawberry commingling with briar, white pepper, wild fennel and light Provençal herb aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, cohesive and finely chiseled, and the finish shows more precision and nuance than the Granite. Chris and Andrea Mullineux told me that this was their favorite Syrah in 2018. Mine too.