Meet the Wine Master
Cape Wine Master Allan Mullins has been described by wine writer Neil Pendock as having “a razor-sharp palate, sharper than any knife in Gordon Ramsay's kitchen”. He’s also a respected wine judge, so we can’t think of anyone better to select and help create Woolies wines – a job he has been doing for more than three decades.
In recent years, Allan has collaborated with some of SA’s best winemakers to make our premium Signature wine range. The result of their hard work is a collection of nine wines they are so proud of that they went ahead and autographed the bottles! Here they are, signed, sealed and ready to be delivered.
Signature Merlot
By Spier's Frans Smit and Allan Mullins
“Frans loves everything about his job,” says Allan. “In the cellar, I relish his excitement as he draws wine from an oak barrel and lets it run into a glass. But the highlight for both of us is when he says: “Maat, nou gaan ons blend!” (My friend, now we’re going to blend!) Pour it and you’ll notice perfumed violet notes, black cherry, cassis, mint and dark chocolate. Frans and Allan recommend pouring it with a lamb roast.
Signature Pinotage
By Beyerskloof's Beyers Truter and Allan Mullins
Legendary Beyers Truter is renowned for putting South Africa’s unique grape, Pinotage, on the map. He is unrivalled as a Pinotage specialist and, year after year, has won top international trophies. “He is also one of the wisest, most humble, and caring humans on the planet,” says Allan of his long-time friend.
Beyers describes the Signature Pinotage as a classic. “It’s made from grapes chosen from select vineyard blocks that we think are best for this top-tier wine full of dark fruit flavours.” The velvety tannins and smooth finish make it a perfect match for bobotie and braaied meat.
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
By Thelema's Gyles Webb and Allan Mullins
According to Allan, “Gyles’s sparkling wit shows through in the many superlative wines that he has made. I’ll go out on a limb and say the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is so good because we have laughed so much over the years while blending it.”
“On the nose you will find classic blackcurrant and toasty oak spice,” says Gyles. “An elegant, yet concentrated fruit-driven palate, gives way to a lingering, ripe finish.” He recommends drinking it with a medium-rare sirloin steak with Béarnaise sauce.
Signature Red Blend
By Jordan Wine Estate's Gary Jordan and Allan Mullins
“Kathy and I met Allan in our formative years,” remembers Gary. “His passion for wine touched us quite personally, so much so that after we were married we decided to study winemaking in California. Working with Woolworths and with Allan since our 2001 vintage has helped us focus as leaders in the SA wine industry. It is the little tweaks that Allan suggests that result in customers returning to our wines vintage after vintage.”
“The challenge in blending this Bordeaux-style red was to put together a wine with the panache of Jordan’s Cobbler’s Hill, but with inviting earlier drinkability,” says Allan. “We tried numerous blends but it was only when we added one barrel of Petit Verdot that we hit the jackpot.” Enjoy it with char-grilled sirloin or oxtail casserole.
Signature Shiraz
By Hartenberg Wine Estate's Carl Schultz and Allan Mullins
“Carl is a on a pedestal among the world’s Shiraz makers,” says Allan. Hartenberg enjoys wide acclaim for its exceptional terroir and Carl’s talent in working with this variety. The Signature Shiraz has been aged in oak barrels for 18 months and Carl describes it as a rich, complex wine. “On the nose, perfumed notes with violet, pepper, and red fruits, subtly supported by toasty vanilla oak aromatics. The palate entry is elegant, building to a richness bursting with dark fruit and soft, sweet tannins.” He and Allan suggest pouring it with fillet steak or a hearty casserole.
Signature Chardonnay
By De Wetshof's Danie de Wet and Allan Mullins
Allan has great memories of creating this international award-winner with Danie. “Before us were 12 bottles of Chardonnay, each from a different De Wetshof vineyard. Danie carefully talked me through each one, explaining their individual characteristics in such detail that I couldn’t help thinking it was almost like he was talking about his children. The aim was to put them together as a happy family and I think we succeeded.” It’s best enjoyed with seared tuna in a sesame seed marinade.
Signature Chenin Blanc
By Ken Forrester Wines' Ken Forrester and Allan Mullins
“Ken Forrester is SA’s King of Chenin,” says Allan. “His passion and a phenomenal understanding of the quality potential that the grape can attain have lifted it from a workforce variety, to one that offers pleasing value and delectable drinkability at all levels of the wine spectrum.”
Ken describes his collaboration with Allan as, “A delightful, richly textured wine with creamy wood spice notes and a fresh, uplifting finish.”
Enjoy it with shellfish or seafood. It’s also a great match for a classic Caesar salad.
Signature Sauvignon Blanc
By Savage Wines' Duncan Savage and Allan Mullins
“At different times of our lives, surfing has been a major part of both mine and Duncan’s lives and we share a common love for the ocean,” says Allan. “With Duncan’s description of the Signature Sauvignon Blanc as ‘supple, with expressive varietal aromas of passion fruit and ripe gooseberry, with underlying notes of grapefruit, granadilla and lime’, we feel it has an expression of maritime freedom.” Allan and Duncan suggest that you pour it with braaied snoek or yellowtail – and enjoy it with a view of the sea.
Signature Cap Classique Vintage Brut
By Villiera's Jeff Grier and Allan Mullins
“Jeff Grier and his team make some of the most highly acclaimed Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines in South Africa, and this Woolies exclusive is no exception,” says Allan, who loves its clean, powerful palate. “It has undergone a second fermentation and lengthy yeast maturation in the bottle. Pop the cork and enjoy it with a grand platter of seafood – fresh oysters, mussels and Norwegian salmon are my top recommendations.”