Strauss & co - 10 - 11 May 2020, Cape Town

20 Vilafonté Vilafonté is a high-profile collaboration between the well- known American winemaking team of Zelma Long and Phil Freese and South Africa’s Mike Ratcliffe. On the Paarl side of the Simonsberg mountain, it was founded in 1996 and their first release was the stellar 2003 vintage. Meticulous viticulture and up-to-date, modern cellar practices ensured that Vilafonté was at the cutting-edge of fine wine and still is today. Vilafonté is arguably South Africa’s most luxurious wine. The birth of series c and series m In the formative years, winemaking partner Zelma Long noticed that the vineyards were producing two distinctive styles. Both styles were of the highest quality, neither of them better than the other, but distinctive nonetheless. One portion of the vineyard produced a soft, rounded, fleshy and fruit-driven style. The other side of the vineyard produced a bolder, more powerful and structured style. It was this realisation that lead to the birth of Series C and Series M . 30 Vilafonté Series C 2009 (6 bottle lot) The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (54% plus Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec) big brother in the series, from the highly celebrated 2009 vintage. ‘…dark chocolate and vanilla, demonstrating great precision on the finish with a hint of cappuccino on the aftertaste. This is superb. I have a lot of respect for the superlative Vilafonté wines, where Zelma Long is at the helm, and their pair of 2009s do not disappoint.’ – Neal Martin, Robert Parker, 94 points R18 000 - 20 000 86 Vilafonté Series M 2005 (6 bottle lot) The Series M is a Merlot-inspired blend and 2005 is rated as one of the finest Stellenbosch vintages of the last two decades. ‘The 2005 series m has a perfumed, floral bouquet of dark cherries, pressed iris, a touch of cigar box and light minty scents. The fresh, vibrant palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, mint-infused black cherry and boysenberry fruit and a potent, spicy, white pepper finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous.com, 92/100 R12 000 - 15 000 112 Vilafonté Series M 2007 (6 bottle lot) From the long, slowly ripening 2007 vintage, the Series M is a Merlot- inspired blend that impresses when young and with age. ‘A dense red, showing layers of fig, plum sauce, hoisin sauce and melted licorice snap flavors, allied to a strong graphite spine. Offers lots of grip, with extra notes of maduro tobacco and anise weaving in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc ... 950 cases made.’ – Wine Spectator, 92/100 R10 000 - 12 000