Vilafonté achieves highest ever score for a South African wine
Premium South African wine producer, Vilafonté, have achieved some remarkable scores in the latest Robert Parker review of South African wines.
Topping the list was the 2021 vintage of Vilafonté Series C which scored 99 points – the highest rating ever achieved by a South African wine. Anthony Muelle, who reviewed the wines, said ‘’the 2021 Series C is constructed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Still incredibly tight yet exuding that special “it” factor, the red blend is layered with gorgeous dark red and succulent black fruit tones with gobs of attractive oak essences that sway with power and Cnesse. If you’re California Cabernet collector, you’ll want to add this to your cellar’’.
Vilafonté Series C 2020
Rating 97 points
Also scoring very highly in the rankings was Vilafonté Series C which scored 97 points. Reviewing the wine, Anthony Mueller said ‘Made with 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 10% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Series C is generously layered and tight, needing more time in the bottle to come around and get into its stride. Full-bodied and complex, the palate reveals succulent flavours of blackberry jus and spiced plum compote with layers of brown baking spices and oak essence. The wine aged in French oak, 68% new, for 22 months before being bottled. It’s a gorgeous wine that will no doubt age brilliantly. Just under 18,000 bottles produced.
Vilafonté Series M 2021
Rating 96 points
‘’The 2021 Series M is Merlot dominant with 35% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. With a release date set in May of 2024, this beauty was just bottled and is already instantly impressive! It has a velvety nature that captures a beautiful wine with a compact frame, delivering immense pleasure. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is balanced, fresh and succulent, with a tannic grip. Possessing gobs of complexity with a sturdy frame, this beauty ends with a long, spicy, incredibly food-friendly Knish’’ – Anthony Mueller. Just over 22,000 bottles produced.
Vilafonté Series M 2020
Rating 95+ points
‘’Aromas of generously layered, ripe, juicy fruit with spicy oak essences and spiced plum skin waft out of the glass of the 2020 Series M. Big, bold and juicy flavours of black raspberry appear in a medium to full-bodied frame before offering structured tannins with soft oak essences. Give it a few more years for the oak and fruit to absorb one another and begin drinking in 2025’’ – Anthony Mueller. Just over 22,000 bottles produced Just under 19,000 bottles produced.
Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2021
Rating 91 points
‘’Made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Merlot and 2% each of Malbec and Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Seriously Old Dirt is ripe, herbal and spicy with notions of turned earth, dark cherry and spiced plum. Medium-bodied, the red blend has a savoury and fresh palate, over delivering at its price point and punching above its weight class’’ – Anthony Mueller. A little over 300,000 bottles were produced.
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