Vilafonté Series M 2015

Established in 1996 and with first bottling in 2003, Vilafonté has been carefully positioned as a wine super-brand. There is some significant intellectual capital behind this project in the form of Mike Ratcliffe, also of Warwick in Stellenbosch, plus eminent US wine industry personalities, namely Phil Freese and Zelma Long and they know what’s what – clear stylistic vision, consistency of quality over time, deluxe packaging and exclusivity based on price rather than rarity all combine to impressive effect.

The Series M 2015 is being eased into the market and it’s sure to please its many fans. A blend of 40% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Malbec, the nose shows black and blue fruit, incense, cocoa powder plus a touch of black olive and earth. The palate is rich and smooth textured – these wines are always about fruit power and this is again extraordinarily dense and deep although it somehow doesn’t sacrifice all balance and refreshment value. A wine of great technical acumen, it would be churlish not to like it. Wine Cellar price: R600 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 92/100.

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