2020 Vilafonté Series M

The Series M from Vilafonté stands for the refined style and almost genteel elegance of the wine. The blend consists mainly of malbec and merlot, supplemented with cabernet sauvignon and in some years some cabernet franc for extra structure. Beautifully fleshy texture with black fruit thanks to the Malbec and a velvety softness and red fruit due to the Merlot. Each volume is a snapshot of Mother Nature at her best. The wine is accessible, immediately drinkable and smooth in taste. But it is certainly also a wine that can still be enjoyed in the years to come.

It is a classic (burgundy) looking wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. The Vilafonté M series has a deep red color in the glass. In the nose we smell pure, rich aromas of cranberry, ripe raspberries and sour cherries. The aroma palette is further characterized by vanilla, pencil shavings, cedar and lilac flowers. In the mouth the Vilafonté has a fine acidity that supports the juicy structure. The tannins are fine and velvety, giving the wine finesse. Delicious to drink but can certainly cellar for another 10-15 years. Challenge your wine friends and let them taste this beautiful South African blind. We would not be surprised if it is tasted like a much more expensive Bordeaux or a Napa wine.

Overall, the 2019/2020 growing season brought fair and favorable conditions. Post-harvest rainfall in 2019 marked the start of a wet, cold winter. With spring came warm, beautiful weather, which resulted in an early (two weeks earlier) and even bud break. This ensured healthy, homogeneous shoot growth in the early season. Windy conditions during flowering led to some variation in berry set and produced looser clusters of small berries. Temperatures during ripening were moderate and without the usual heat waves we are used to. This led to an even and measured pace in ripening and picking. Wines from this vintage exhibit balance, concentration and subdued potency. Characteristics inherent to a future classic.

All three Vilafonté wines made the James Sucklings “Top 100 Wines of South Africa” – each scoring over 93 points!

Vilafonté - America meets South Africa

Vilafonté is a special project in Paarl. It is the first collaboration project between an American and a South African company in the world of wine. And it is not only in that respect that it is unique. It is also special because it is a collaboration between partners fully committed to top quality, with specialists from both countries fully focused on making 'quality wines'.Vilafonté started as a project that initially focused on the American market, but which is now also successful in other important export markets.

Vilafonté's commitment to quality concerns the entire production process, from the bottom to the bottle, and with a luxurious and grand appearance as the first focus. The name, Vilafonté, is taken from the main soil type of the estate, which covers 40 hectares and which, due to its character, is the source of the estate's wines. The composition of the team involved in Vilafonté creates a unique mix of knowledge, skills, international vision, and at the same time international recognition. The goal of the Vilafonté project is no less than to become South Africa's first true luxury wine brand.

The project involves the following partners: Zelma Long is head of the team of winemakers of the Vilafonté project. Zelma is one of the best-known winemakers in the United States, with a great international reputation. Michael Ratcliffe is the General Manager of Vilafonté. Mike is Managing Director of his family estate, Warwick, regarded as one of South Africa's leading wine estates. Phil Feese is responsible for the strategic direction of vineyard management and everything related to vineyard development. Phil is in charge of vineyard management and is the one who designed the Vilafonté vineyard, which he calls “Different by Design”.

Also at the base is partner Bartholomew Broadbent (yes, the son of), who is responsible for the distribution of Vilafonté in the US. Bartholomew is the owner of one of the most prestigious small importers in the United States. Decanter Magazine recently put him on its list of the 50 most influential people in the wine world. Vilafonté owns a total of 12 hectares, planted in 1998 and 1999. The winery measures a total of 42 hectares. Vilafonté is planted entirely like a classic Bordeaux vineyard, with carefully selected clones of Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Malbec and Merlot. During the planting, the most modern techniques in the field of satellite cartography were used, whereby the wine list was mapped with infrared photos and multi-spectrum images, to see which grape should be planted where and to determine where more or less irrigation is necessary. In this way, the best results are achieved from the plantings through optimal care of the vineyard. The wines are a perfect reflection of this: South African with great class.

Order Vilafonté wines online at Grandcruwijnen

You can of course buy Vilafonté wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grandcruwijnen!