The Mullineux OLERASAY 4º Straw Wine represents the absolute pinnacle of South African dessert wine through a complex fractional blending system. This rare cuvée consists of a solera started in 2008, incorporating every vintage of the estate’s acclaimed Straw Wine through 2023. Winemaker Andrea Mullineux sources old-vine Chenin Blanc from the decomposed granite soils of the Paardeberg to ensure a naturally high acidity. Consequently, this structural foundation balances the extreme sweetness that defines this world-class nectar. Critics consistently award this series perfect scores, with the 4º bottling receiving 99 Points from Greg Sherwood MW and 98 Points from Neal Martin.
Furthermore, you will be drawn in by a deep golden hue and a multidimensional perfume of sun-dried apricots and wild fynbos. The palate offers an unmeasurable concentration of flavor that includes layers of candied ginger, citrus zest, and nutty marzipan. Despite the high residual sugar, the wine maintains a weightless quality due to its piercing, zesty acidity. These exceptional traits helped secure 5 Stars and “Straw Wine of the Year” in the 2025 Platter’s Wine Guide, alongside a stellar 97 Points from Tim Atkin, MW. Thus, it serves as a sublime partner for aged hard cheeses, foie gras, or rich fruit-based desserts.
The Mullineux OLERASAY 4º Straw Wine undergoes a patient maturation process in seasoned 225-liter French oak barrels. Specifically, the team dries the grapes outdoors for several weeks to concentrate sugars and flavors before a long, slow natural fermentation occurs. This minimal-intervention approach preserves the primary fruit while developing the tertiary complexity only found in solera-aged liquids. Moreover, it possesses an almost indefinite aging potential, evolving gracefully over many decades in the cellar. Given the tiny production of just 4,472 bottles, this release remains a highly coveted prize for international wine collectors.