0

2018 Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Leeu Passant, Dry Red Wine, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Medium Bodied
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
For laying down
Jancis Robinson MW
16+/20
Neal Martin MW
93/100
Tim Atkin MW
94/100
Product: 20181531053
2018 Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Leeu Passant, Dry Red Wine, Western Cape, South Africa

Description

The palate feels full-bodied, layered and intense yet there is a freshness and finesse here that is unusual in many New World Bordeaux blends; there is a sense that the Cinsault is calming things down, adding sophistication and lift. A gravel minerality runs through the core, reminiscent of Left Bank, whilst the softness and richness of fruit has more in common with the Right. The quality of the corduroy-like tannins is excellent; they have initial grip before dissolving into soft powder and melting on the tongue, yet the wine has a tight edge to it, suggesting a few more years are required for the palate to mellow.

The long, rewarding finish is dominated by a concentrated, juicy blueberry and black cherry pie character and feels extremely pure. This is an elegant, sophisticated South African Bordeaux blend from the Mullineux winemaking masters at Leeu Passant. Only 900 cases were made.

Drink 2024 - 2030

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2018
Alcohol % 14
Maturity For laying down
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon
Body Medium Bodied
Producer Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Critics reviews

Jancis Robinson MW 16+/20
Mid to deep garnet. Already quite nicely integrated nose with a hint of oyster shells, though the palate is a bit suddenly pinched on the end. This is so much more youthful than the 2018 Franschhoek Cinsault from the same stable! This is well made but considerably less distinctive than the Cinsault 2018. There seems to have been a real effort to master the tannins but they do rather dominate the cassis fruit at the moment.Drink 2022 - 2028jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2020)
Drink 2022 - 2028
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2020)
Neal Martin MW 93/100
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has a fragrant bouquet of dark berry fruit, Earl Grey and light wet clayey aromas, quite complex and engaging. The palate is very well defined and classic in style, with a lightly spiced opening and white pepper and sage developing later. There is just the right amount of dryness toward the finish to get the saliva flowing. Classy.Drink 2022 - 2038Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (February 2021)
Drink 2022 - 2028
Neal Martin MW, Vinous.com (Feb 2021)
Tim Atkin MW 94/100
The Dry Red is something of a tribute to the Cape blends of the mid-20th century, with Cabernet Sauvignon partnered by 21% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cinsault. Floral aromas lead into a palate that's firm and grippy, with dark berry fruit, some underlying freshness and toasty 30% new wood.Drink 2021 - 2027timatkin_com (August 2021)
Drink 2022 - 2028
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com (Aug 2021)

About this wine

Cabernet Sauvignon

The most famous red wine grape in the world and one of the most widely planted.
Find out more

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines is one of the stand-out producers in South Africa's budding Swartland region. Winemakers Chris and Andrea Mullineux’s ambition is to bottle wines that are a true expression of the Swartland, and all steps of their winemaking process are taken with this in mind. They work closely with a select group of growers who follow sustainable, reasoned farming practices, as well as owning vineyards at their Roundstone Farm in Riebeeksrivier. In the cellar, apart from minimal amounts of sulphur, nothing is added to or removed from the wine. They do not make use of any yeasts, acids, tannins, enzymes, or fining and filtering agents. “Leeu” (Afrikaans for “lion”) was added to the name recently to recognise the contribution of a new investor to the project. Apart from their wonderful Syrah, Chenin Blanc-based white blend and a super-rich Straw Wine made from air-dried Chenin Blanc, fermented and matured in old barriques, Mullineux now has a range of spectacular single-terroir Syrah and Chenin Blanc wines, each of which illustrates the amazing potential of the differing Swartland soils. Volumes of the single-vineyard wines are tiny, so availability is extremely limited.
Find out more

Need help?

Delivery and Quality Guarantee