The Mullineux husband and wife team Chris and Andrea have created news yet again, with the launch tomorrow, Monday 3 April, of their new flagship Leeu Passant range of Dry Red Wine 2015, Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2015, and Elandskloof Chardonnay 2015. 

For the first time wines have been made by the Mullineuxs at their brand new Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines cellar at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, with their Mullineux wines continuing to be made in the Swartland, on their Roundstone farm. The Leeu Passant wines will be made in Franschhoek, with the grapes bought in. The name ‘Leeu Passant’ means ‘walking lion’, the media statement explains. It has been launched as a range which reflects the culture, terroir, history, and tastes of the Cape. The grapes for the three wines came mainly from old Vineyards.

Long-awaited Leeu Estates opens in Franschhoek, love at first sight!

The Mullineuxs explained how the new wine brand came about: ‘For many years, our viticulturist Rosa Kruger had been enthusing about special parcels of vines outside the Swartland. But we couldn’t use these as our Mullineux and Kloof Street wines are exclusively from Swartland vineyards. Leeu Passant was a fantastic opportunity to harness these exciting vineyards to create a new top class winery in a different region’.

In creating the new Leeu Passant wines, the Mullineuxs were inspired by the heritage of winemaking in our country, going back to the 17th century. ‘…they decided to deconstruct the venerable Cape wines of the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s, retain their best component parts, and then reconstruct them in a modern, minimalist way, whilst at the same time respecting tradition‘. The new Leeu Passant wines marry heritage and old vines with their modern interpretation. 

Leeu Collection founder Analjit Singh said that the Leeu Passant wines are a meeting of minds: ‘They are a culmination of a shared vision, attention to detail, passion, and uncompromisingly high standards. They embody the no-compromise approach to quality that I share with Chris and Andrea’. 

Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine 2015 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Cinsault. The media statement describes the wine as: ‘It is beautifully refined with notes of bergamot and a dark violet fragrance. The palate is structured, with fine chalky tannins, hints of spices and herbs, and fresh dark fruits’.  It costs R975 per bottle, and R2075 for a magnum.

Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2015 is described as having ‘flint, citrus blossom and salinity on the nose. The palate is packed with lime zest and crushed shells and has a textured, vibrant and long finish’.  The wine costs R625 per bottle and R 1375 for a magnum.

Leeu Passant Elandskloof Chardonnay 2015 ‘has a nose of stone fruit and lemon biscuits. The palate has a creamy, limey, citrus character with exotic spice notes and is full but balanced by a fresh, tight finish’.  The wine costs R625 per bottle, and R1375 for a magnum.

The Leeu Passant range will be available to taste and buy at The Wine Studio at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek.

Leeu Estates, Leeu Collection, Franschhoek. Tel (021) 492-2222. www.leeucollection.com Twitter: @LeeuCollection Instagram: @leeucollection

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein