Grapes for the 2013 Schist Syrah were sourced from a single parcel of sustainably farmed 18 year old vines planted in the stony Shale and Schist soils of Roundstone Farm on the Kasteelberg. This parcel of Syrah gives the best expression of the Kasteelberg’s terroir – density and structure. Grapes were hand-harvested between the 6th and 14th February 2013.

This is the most structured Syrah in their Single Terroir range. On the nose there are notes of black pepper, black fruit and spices. The palate is full-bodied with a meaty, savoury character, plenty of silky tannins giving structure and a balancing natural acidity. The finish is fresh, long and supple. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting when drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.

Reviews:

"The 2013 Schist Syrah does not quite possess the same delineation as the 2013 Iron Syrah on the nose, with touches of dark chocolate infusing the red berry fruit, later clove and Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannin. This has a bit more body than the 2013 Iron, with more sumptuousness, freshness and corpulence with smooth, slightly gamey red berry fruit, truffle and undergrowth. Once the aromatics open, this might be the pick of recent releases from Mullineux. - Neal Martin"
- The Wine Advocate (erobertparker.com, November 2015), 94 pts

"Made similarly to the Syrah blend but only from fruit grown on schist soils, this wine offers more power and animalistic Syrah appeal. The nose is meaty and savory, while the palate is big, dense and chewy, showing a lingering elegant note on the finish."

- iwinereview.com (January 2016), 95 pts