For those that don’t know, Kloof Street is at the heart of Cape Town, and South Africa’s most fashionable destination for food and nightlife. Mullineux’s success has been meteoric, establishing their incomparable reputation as soon as their first wines were released. In the last 10 years alone, they have been winery of the year in Platter’s South African Wine Guide 5 times, and Andrea Mullineux Wine Enthusiast’s International Winemaker of the year in 2016. Andrea and her husband Chris were also awarded Tim Atkin’s South African Winemakers of the year in 2016.
Mullineux’s reputation as a producer of some of South Africa’s finest wines is beyond question, but many of their local customers were asking for wines that were more affordable, food friendly and versatile at table. Would it be possible to come up with a set of bistro wines, that wouldn’t break the bank? Many of these customers were in and around Kloof Street, hence the homage in name.
The 2020 Kloof Street Rouge is made from Swartland fruit, a blend of Cinsault, Tinta Barocca, Grenache and Syrah. This is a classic South African red and blended; better than the sum of its parts. Juicy and medium bodied with a heady perfume of fresh flowers, baking spices and dark fruits. Succulent and well-rounded, with a fine bead of acidity providing shape, freshness and length. There is a terrific contrast between ease of drinking and structure, the sandy tannins allowing the wine to stand up to rich foods also. An absolutely perfect bistro red, impossible not to like and will partner with an abundance of dishes and cuisine.
