2022 Vilafonte Series M
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Tasting notes
The Vilafonté 2022 Paarl Series M is a blend of 40% Merlot, 39% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The two Cabernet grapes add structure and firmness plus a grippy quality to the tannins. Both the Merlot and the Malbec contribute textural richness and softness. The wine boasts lasting complexity with a ferrous signature, lead pencil, dark fruit, iris root and a slightly menthol tone that borders on eucalyptus. Punch-downs are gentle (Winemaker Chris de Vries calls them "gentle-downs"), and they basically consist of squeezing the berries by hand under the cap). Pump-overs are also used. This barrel-fermented wine is given early exposure to oak in order to favor integration, and aging takes place over 22 months, with 20% new wood.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Series M, which has a little more Malbec in the blend this year, matured for 22 months in 30% new French oak barriques. This has fine lift on the nose, quite pure and delineated, with Morello cherry, raspberry and blood orange. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is a chiseled and focused Series M, one of the most elegant I can recall. It’s perhaps more linear in style than usual, but I find ample precision on the almost Bordeaux-like finish. This is excellent.
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.