Vilafonte new vintages of Series M and Series C 2010

Vilafonte new vintages of Series M and Series C 2010

Vilafonte, name derived from the soil type found in the 40 hectares vineyard, is located in Paarl district.  

A joint venture between managing partner Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and world renown viticulturist expert Phil Freese and Zelma Long, no introduction needed here, both were previously president of viticulture and cellar master at Mondavi respectively.

The first vineyard was established in 1995 with their maiden vintage in 2000, which was never bottle or released, 2003 was the first commercial released.

Four Bordeaux varieties namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec (No Petit Verdot) are grown in various 1 hectare block each, with high density planting favored, yields are naturally kept low with around 3 tons per hectare, one of the lowest in South Africa, with only 1 bunch per shoot to ensure proper and fast ripening, resulting in harvest usually being in February.

The wines are matured in a high percentage of new 225 L French oak barrels with only free run juice used and no press wine added to the blend. Maturation are 1 year for each varietal, then 1 year as a blend followed by 14 months in bottle before released.

Vilafonte focus are on two distinct blends, summed up as a "reflection of the dirt and vintage".
Series M, a Merlot or Malbec driven blend, depending on vintages strenght and Series C, a Cabernet Sauvignon driven blend.

Series M, may be describe as the "softer" of the two, juicy and bold compare to Series C, which is structured and powerful, yet both have very good ageing potential due to their concentrated profile, however irrespective of the style or blends, both have an instant appeal, when in fact it is not necessary to aged to start enjoying them, all is require are some time in a decanter, at least 2 hours and they will be perfect for pairings at the table.

Tasting the current released last week, both 2010 vintages, a striking feature was their instant seductiveness, juicy, approachable, yet with stamina for the long haul.

They were perfection all the way through and they just cannot be faulted whatsoever!

What was even more impressive, considering 2009 was one of the greatest vintages of the past 30 years in South Africa, both white and reds from quality concious producers, 2010 could have easily been over shadowed by the sheer quality of 2009, especially considering both Series M and Series C was amongst the highest rated South African Bordeaux style red blends in 2012 from major and leading International wine publications, yet the new releases shown brilliantly, they were saturated in perfectly ripe dark juicy red fruits with an impressive purity, there was precision all the way through and freshness, the wines were bright, in fact one line summed up the quality, "they have push the boat very far out" no debate. Is it even better than the 2009? I confidently think so, yet both are monumental efforts and blends.

2011 vintage will be released in March 2014

Vilafonte in a very short time period have raised the standard of red Bordeaux style blends in South Africa, so high that it is a powerful brand not to be ignored when engineering a wine lists.

Individual tasting note to follow.

Vilafonte Paarl Series M 2009 93 Points

Vilafonte Paarl Series M 2010 93+ Points

Vilafonte Paarl Series C 2009 94 Points

Vilafonte Paarl Series C 2010 94.5 Points