Wine Composition
A sumptuous blend of 42% Merlot, 39% Malbec & 19% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemakers Comments
Series M 2017 is the culmination of nature and nurture; a symphony of the senses. This harmonious blend combines plummy hues with an inky, garnet red colour. Offering warm vanilla, ripe raspberry and Asian plum aromas on entry; this focused and pure rendition of Series M deepens to pencil lead, a terracotta earthen character and delicate pressed violets when afforded greater airtime. Beautifully nuanced in its measured energy, the palate is fresh and elegant, graceful and complete. Seductively smooth on entry, swelling in intensity with a succulent core and culminating in a soft, round finish full of sour cherry and chocolate. Tannins are multi-layered, polished and lithe, adding to the balanced structure. Although immediately engaging, this blend requires time to express full concentration, and will mature most gracefully, rewarding the patient collector.
Awards
Vintage
An abundant crop of sterling quality. Yields rose by fifty-seven percent, despite the fourth year in a sequence of below-average rainfall for the Western Cape Province. This follows Vilafonté's smallest per-hectare crop (3,1 tons per hectare in 2016) and moves back to long-term average yields. Welcome post-harvest rains in the preceding year before leaf fall, coupled with well-timed nutrient applications, allowed our vines to build up reserves before going into winter dormancy. Winter rains in 2016 approached normal levels, but fell below average in late winter to spring. Bud-break in the spring was very even, with rapid shoot growth which ceased well before bloom, allowing excellent fruit-set. Weather leading up to harvest was warm and fair - perfect ripening conditions. Harvest commenced on the 6th of February with a few short pauses, and concluded on the 1st of March. At blending, varietal wines were expressive, showing a classical elegance and restrained power - steel sheathed in velvet.
Maturation
The ‘Series M’ matured for 20 months in French Oak barrels and
a further 12 months in bottle.
Winemaker
Name: Chris de Vries & Zelma Long
Winery
Vilafonté is the first American and South African joint wine-making venture. This groundbreaking red wine project is a partnership between a respected group of winespecialists from South Africa (Michael Ratcliffe) and the United States (Zelma Long and Phillip Freese). Vilafonté is the first winery in South Africa to focus on making wine aimed specifically at the US market. The name Vilafonté is derived from the primary soil type of the 100-acre estate, whose character forms the foundation of the wines. The Vilafonté project aims to create the first luxury wine brand from South Africa.
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