On this historic day, this Series M is testament of
how far the South African wine industry have positively changed since 1994 and now
a serious international player of super premium, highly collectible and sought
after wines, from top end growers, such as this current released blend of 51% Malbec, 46% Merlot and
3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vilafonte was the first South African and
American joint venture, with Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Estate and American
couple Zelma Long and husband Phil Freese, a trio that have been crafting
compelling wines since their partnership started over a decade ago.
Vilafonte is all about expression of the vintage
and their unique location in Paarl, no set formula or style evident, except
that if released it is the essence of a particular vintage.
Fanatical attention
to details have shown a constant progressions over the years of what started as
a Merlot blend, hence the M, with the current released being driven by Malbec.
A fantastic offering with impressive purity of
fruit, yet showing a confident restraint, perfectly ripe plums, blackberries,
dark cherries, intermingle with subtle earthy note, brushed of spicy Valrhona
chocolate, which will integrate with time, but so irresistible now, it will be
hard not to be tempted not to pull the cork!
Ripe overall, with precise freshness, has cut, linear
in profile, considering the fruit intensity and concentration on texture,
juicy, tactile, embryonic, fine balancing act indeed, will reward even greater sipping
pleasure when it will start peaking at around 2025+ and should drink well up to 2035+
