2021 Vilafonte Series M
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Tasting notes
The Series M is Vilafonté’s Merlot and Malbec led blend. There’s a leafy edge to the nose, leading to a palate that is juicy and firm. Rich, baked red fruit coats the firm, round structure, while the core is smoky, savoury and intense. The oak (26% new for 22 months) is a little dominant at this youthful stage, but will integrate with time. Production was 78 barrels in this vintage. Drink from 2026. Blend: 41% Merlot, 35% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc
Critic scores
Average Score
Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
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 firm tannic grip. It needs more time, which is understandable in its youthful, unreleased state. Possessing gobs of complexity with a sturdy frame, this beauty ends with a long, spicy, incredibly food-friendly finish. Just over 22,000 bottles were filled after the wine rested for 22 months in French barrique, 26% new.
The 2021 Series M is a blend of 41% Merlot, 35% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. It spent 14 days on the skins and matured for 22 months in new French barriques, around 25% new oak. This has a lot of intensity on the nose with blackberry, raspberry, touches of wild mint and melted tar. It is quite backward at the moment and compact (if you plan on drinking this early, then have a decanter to hand). The palate is smooth and velvety on the entry with fine tannins and well-judged acidity, harmonious with a slightly granular finish. There’s lovely, quite plush red fruit here, but real tension and persistence are boding well for the future. It seems to embrace the slightly cooler growing season and go with it.
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.