2015 Vilafonte Series M
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Tasting notes
40% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec. Rich, thick palate with indulgent black fruit yet soft, pampered tannins. Long, fragrant palate with a lot of potential for age. Gets the balance of New World ripeness and classic savoury structure just right. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Series M was picked two weeks earlier than the previous year, starting on January 30. It was aged for 22 months in 18% new French oak. It has a vibrant, expressive bouquet of blackberry, red plum and a touch of raspberry confit , neatly integrated with the well-judged oak. The crisp, taut palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and a fine line of acidity, and just a touch of spiciness courtesy of cracked black pepper toward the finish. Very fine, but it needs another couple of years in bottle.
About the producer
Based in Paarl, Vilafonté was created by two leading Californian consultants, Zelma Long and Dr Phil Freese, with South African native Mike Ratcliffe. Today its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends are some of the country’s most respected – and highest rated.