Vilafonté new releases

Ever since Chris de Vries assumed the permanent role of winemaker at Vilafonté in late 2016, the wines have grown in refinement. The 2023 vintage is remembered for heavy March rain but crucially De Vries and team had already picked their Paarl vineyards and the resulting wines are notably successful. Significantly, 2023 marks the penultimate vintage of the current two-wine range, with Vilafonté set to move to a single cuvée from 2025.

Series M 2023
Price: R1,310
41% Merlot, 38% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 23 months in barrel, 25% new. Red berry, plum, hints of rose, fresh herbs, vanilla and cinnamon on the nose. The palate is medium bodied, succulent and rounded showing excellent clarity of fruit, fresh acidity and fine, velvety tannins. A seductive wine – opulence worn lightly. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93 | Serious

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Series C 2023
Price: R1,995
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 12% Malbec and 7% Cabernet Franc. Matured for 22 months in barrel, 78% new. Aromatics of black berries along with notes of olive, leafiness, floral perfume and pencil shavings. The palate is well defined, with pure fruit, fresh acidity and firm but not astringent tannins, the finish nicely dry. A sophisticated, carefully judged wine – balanced, even elegant yet by no means underdone. Alc: 14.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Serious

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