Vilafonte Series C 2023

Situated in the Paarl-Simonsberg region on the northern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, Vilafonté is one of South Africa's most distinctive producers of Bordeaux-style red blends. The estate takes its name from the ancient Vilafontes soils found in the vineyards - exceptionally old, weathered soils that contribute to the low-yielding, concentrated fruit for which the property is known. Founded in 1996 as a South African-American winemaking collaboration, Vilafonté was established with an international perspective but a clear focus on expressing South African terroir. Vilafonté Series C 2023 is the Cabernet Sauvignon-led expression of that philosophy, combining Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc to add softness, fruit depth and freshness. The 2023 vintage was matured for 22 months in French oak, with 78% new oak, allowing the substantial fruit and tannin structure to develop greater integration.

Colour: Deep, intense ruby red, with a dense, almost opaque core.
Nose: Focused aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and boysenberry lead into violet, juniper and subtle leafy notes. As the wine opens, anise, clove, cedar and pencil-shaving characters add savoury and spicy complexity.
Palate: Precise and concentrated, with pure black-fruit flavours carried by fresh acidity and firm, fine-grained tannins. The texture is polished rather than heavy, with Cabernet Sauvignon providing the wine's backbone while Merlot and Malbec broaden the fruit profile. Well-integrated oak brings subtle cedar, spice and cocoa notes without overwhelming the fruit.
Finish: Long, dry and focused, with dark fruit, graphite-like savouriness and spice lingering over a firm but refined tannin structure.