Vilafonte Series C 2022
The Blend
22 months in 73% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.
Series C 2022 consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Malbec (10%).
64 barrels were produced.
A compelling expression of Series C with a quiet reflection of the time and place.
It presents a deep, dark-red core to garnet edge. The aromatics are captivating, leading with an exotic blend of jasmine and oud perfume, interwoven with layers of blue and black fruits — Damson plum, blackberry, and cassis. A subtle hint of dried citrus peel and smoky char adds complexity. On the palate, this wine is broad and dense, yet exhibits an understated elegance. It moves gracefully, with a svelte texture that coats the mouth. The dense, sweet fruit is complemented by a fine, dark chocolate
finish, leading to a long, generous aftertaste. While the 2022 Series C is remarkably complete in its youth, this blend will reward those who exercise patience as it continues to evolve and develop complexity. Enjoy now or cellar for two decades or more.
Vilafonté Series M 2022
Series M 2022
Immersive & Engaging
Expect this vintage of Series M to provide increasing finesse and pleasure over time. It’s colour is deep, garnet-red colour with a dense centre. The entry is pure-fruited and focused, showcasing a vibrant medley of pomegranate, cranberry, raspberry, and blueberry compote. These are layered with sweet notes of crème brûlée and vanilla pod, complemented by intriguing hints of tarragon, cardamom, and a touch of savoury character. On the palate, the wine is broad and luscious from the first sip, with plush, crushed velvet tannins. The palate continues seamlessly from the nose, with abundant red fruits leading to a long, delicious finish.
While the 2022 Series M is remarkably complete in its youth, this blend will reward those who exercise patience as it continues to evolve and develop complexity. Enjoy now or cellar for two decades or more.
The Blend
22 months in 30% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.
Series M 2022 consists of Merlot (40%), Malbec (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%) and Cabernet Franc (5%).
80 barrels were produced.
VERGELEGEN V 2017
VERGELEGEN V 2017 is from a small selection of the best barrels from Vergelegen's Stone Pine IV Vineyard. It should be no surprise that this blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot is once again 'extraordinarily good' (CE) considering 2017 is what Tim Atkin MW calls 'one of the best ever South African vintages'.
Scoring 96 points from WineMag's Christian Eedes, 95 points from Atkin and 94+ points from the Wine Advocate's Anthony Mueller, this is a 'fresher and more nuanced' (TA) V than the 2018 vintage that will follow. The nose is initially a bit reductive but opens up to reveals classic 'ripe, succulent aromas' (WA) of red and black berries, tea leaf, violets and cedarwood. The most significant feature of the 'tight and complex' (WA) is its 'reined-in power' (CE). Its combination of 'lovely fruit purity, fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins' (CE) make this a 'steadfast and pleasurable' (WA) Bordeaux blend that is sure to delight for many decades to come.
Buitenverwachting Christine 2018
Vilafonte Seriously Old Dirt 2022
Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2022 is a vibrant, medium-bodied South African red with an enticing mix of black and red fruits, floral lift and warm spice. It’s plush on the palate with silky tannins, fresh acidity and a savory finish, making it both enjoyable now and capable of developing further in bottle.
Critics’ scores
James Suckling: 93–94 / 100
Rich, polished and fruit-driven with a creamy texture and good depth.
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): ~93 / 100
Structured, concentrated, and well balanced with dark fruit and savoury complexity.
Wine Spectator: 91–92 / 100
Solid, well-made Bordeaux-style blend with good freshness and length.
Tim Atkin MW: ~91 / 100
Well judged, harmonious, and true to the Vilafonté style.
Vinous (Neal Martin): 89 / 100
More restrained and herbal in style, medium-bodied with good balance but less power than top peers.
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
95% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
Colour and condition:
Deep brick red hue; bright condition.
Nose:
An intense array of primary fruit notes, including blueberries, raspberries, red currant, mulberry, plum and musk, as well as a touch of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove spices. Cabernet Sauvignon’s classic floral note of violets adds volume. The complexities in the background include cedar, tobacco and tar, the “cigar box” combination, plus some light toasty oak.
Palate:
The theme of the red and dark fruits continues, with black currant, cherry, blueberry, mulberry and dark jube flavours filling the mouth. They sit over a medium to full body, with bright acidity and soft, well integrated, svelte, almost chocolate-like, tannin. The wine is long and finishes with cedar and toasty oak, with perhaps a touch of star anise.
Moss Wood Amy’s 2023
Moss Wood Amy’s is With lifted dark fruit aromas of mulberries and blackcurrants, backed by some spicy, white pepper notes from the Malbec and musk-like perfumes from the Petit Verdot and with complex cedar and tarry notes in the background. The palate is dominated by dark fruit notes, with juicy blackberry and red currant flavours backed by firm but ripe tannins and juicy acidity.
63% Cabernet Sauvignon
23% Merlot
7% Malbec
7% Petit Verdot
Meerlust Rubicon 2021 Gift Tin
Tasting Notes
Very youthful colour, deep and dense with almost purple hue. Quintessential Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedar wood, fennel, and intense spiciness. Typical liquorice notes also evident on the nose. Still young and intense, the palate is full bodied, structured but packed with fresh dark fruit and rounded tannins and seamlessly integrated oak.
Blend Information
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Accolades
2024 Platter's Wine Guide - 5 Stars
Ageing Potential
Ageing potential of 10 - 20 years, provided wine is stored in ideal cellar conditions.
Raats MR de Compostella 2020
Never made with exactly the same blend in any two vintages, the 2020 is a classic Cape Bordeaux assemblage of 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot with a total production of only 1,000 x 6. The wine displays a real intensity in the glass with a ruby red rim and a red / black plum heart. The aromatics are vibrant and fabulously perfumed, bursting from the glass with expressive notes of red and black berry fruits, black currant, raspberry, red and black cherry, before notes of earthy blueberry emerge with suggestions of pressed violets, lavender, sweet sandalwood, star anise and graphite spice. On the palate, the vintage’s regal elegance emerges with exhilarating acids framing the plush opulent red and back berry fruits, saline cassis, tart red cherry and a blueberry confectionary generosity.
98/100 Greg Sherwood MW
Colomé Lote Especial Malbec La Brava 2023
A wild, high-altitude Malbec beauty from Salta’s dizzying peaks. The 2023 Lote Especial bursts with violet, black cherry, and Andean herbs, its energy finely chiseled by altitude. Vibrant yet poised, with a mineral edge and elegant tannins—proof that Colomé continues to defy gravity with grace.
On the nose, there are intense aromas of black and red fruits, with a touch of mint. This wine is concentrated and complex, with soft, round tannins and a great freshness on the finish.
SHAW + SMITH Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2020
Floral aromas and a touch of cherries. Integrated soft tannins and a graphite-like earthiness together with red fruits and spice notes of dried herbs on the palate gives this wine great depth and complexity.
94/100 Deano da Vino - Complex, with layers of earthiness, cigar box, and dark broody cherries and a hint of mixed spice. Drinking superbly now, or can last 5 years
Château Montaiguillon, Montagne Saint-Emilion 2020
Montaiguillon’s 2020 is another resounding success, continuing a string of excellent vintages at the estate. It is a deep ruby colour with notes of spiced plums, cassis and blackberries on the nose. There’s a savoury, graphite note woven through the juicy, sumptuous palate. Its rounded tannins are already integrated with the plump fruit, and the finish has a fresh, balanced length, the likes of which you’d expect from wines with much bigger price tags.
