86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
This is a brilliant, modern take on the South African Bordeaux blends of Stellenbosch! It has a dark purple aromatic tone, but is more restrained than the classic South African style, with a compact display of fresh-fruits, cooling aromatic herb (the mint/sage family), and a hint of "pencil box" from the well-judged French oak aging. On the palate, it's not over-polished, but concentrated and juicy, with a welcome a savory mineral edge, and infused with finely knit tannins that provide a soft grip around the gums. This is a wine that can age beautifully in bottle for years. In the meantime, we suggest letting it open up in the decanter for an hour, and pair with roasted or grilled red meats.
"This Cabernet Sauvignon-lead blend initially greets with a vibrant expression of fruit. Unfolding with fresh plum, black raspberry, mulberry and ripe strawberry. These fruits are beautifully intertwined with subtle spicey notes of shaved nutmeg and dried sage. Palate entry is smooth, luxuriously coating with a silky texture from the fore-palate, broadening on the mid-palate and finishing with layered richness. A line of fresh acidity adds energy to this medium bodied wine. Soft, silky tannins are well integrated, allowing immediate enjoyment, while balanced structure will allow gracious cellaring.
"Vilafonté is the first American and South African joint wine-making venture. This ground-breaking red wine project is a partnership between a respected group of wine specialists from South Africa (Mike Ratcliffe) and the United States (Zelma Long and Dr. Phil Freese). The name Vilafonté is derived from the primary soil type of the 100-acre estate. The soil in these vinyeards has been recorded as one of the oldest soil types in the world—somewhere between 750,000 and 1.5 million years old. The character of the soil is what forms the foundation of Vilafonté wines. It has deeply evolved over the centuries, and has been stripped of much of its inherent capacity, which encourages smaller vines, lower yields and highly concentrated fruit." - WINERY NOTES
This is a brilliant, modern take on the South African Bordeaux blends of Stellenbosch! It has a dark purple aromatic tone, but is more restrained than the classic South African style, with a compact display of fresh-fruits, cooling aromatic herb (the mint/sage family), and a hint of "pencil box" from the well-judged French oak aging. On the palate, it's not over-polished, but concentrated and juicy, with a welcome a savory mineral edge, and infused with finely knit tannins that provide a soft grip around the gums. This is a wine that can age beautifully in bottle for years. In the meantime, we suggest letting it open up in the decanter for an hour, and pair with roasted or grilled red meats.
"This Cabernet Sauvignon-lead blend initially greets with a vibrant expression of fruit. Unfolding with fresh plum, black raspberry, mulberry and ripe strawberry. These fruits are beautifully intertwined with subtle spicey notes of shaved nutmeg and dried sage. Palate entry is smooth, luxuriously coating with a silky texture from the fore-palate, broadening on the mid-palate and finishing with layered richness. A line of fresh acidity adds energy to this medium bodied wine. Soft, silky tannins are well integrated, allowing immediate enjoyment, while balanced structure will allow gracious cellaring.
"Vilafonté is the first American and South African joint wine-making venture. This ground-breaking red wine project is a partnership between a respected group of wine specialists from South Africa (Mike Ratcliffe) and the United States (Zelma Long and Dr. Phil Freese). The name Vilafonté is derived from the primary soil type of the 100-acre estate. The soil in these vinyeards has been recorded as one of the oldest soil types in the world—somewhere between 750,000 and 1.5 million years old. The character of the soil is what forms the foundation of Vilafonté wines. It has deeply evolved over the centuries, and has been stripped of much of its inherent capacity, which encourages smaller vines, lower yields and highly concentrated fruit." - WINERY NOTES
