2023 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon57%
Merlot24%
Malbec12%
Cabernet Franc7%
Region Paarl
Harvest Dates February 2nd-March 1st, 2023
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 78% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak78%
Oak Types French
Production Details 22 months in 78% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. 68 barrels were produced.
Vintages
2021 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon57%
Merlot26%
Malbec10%
Cabernet Franc7%
Region Paarl
Harvest Dates February 11th
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 81% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak81%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in eighty-one percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Sixty-seven barrels were produced. While the 2021 Series C is already 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.
2020 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon58%
Merlot24%
Malbec10%
Cabernet Franc8%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 68% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak68%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in sixty-eight percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Sixty-one barrels were produced.
Tasting Notes
dark blue fruit, black fruit, black currant pastille, liquorice, juniper berry, charred cedar, ripe tannins, great length
2019 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon56%
Merlot20%
Malbec20%
Cabernet Franc4%
Drinking Window a decade or more
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 74% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak74%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in seventy-four percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Forty-six barrels were produced.
Tasting Notes
Nose: blackberry, cassis, baked plum, hoisin sauce, violet, lilac, fresh-crushed juniper berry, pencil shavings, dark chocolate, nutmeg
Palate: plush, expansive entry, fine-grained tannins, black berry fruits
2018 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon58%
Merlot17%
Malbec14%
Cabernet Franc11%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 69% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak69%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in sixty-nine percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Thirty-six barrels were produced. The 2018 vintage was marked by the worst drought on record, with water resources at an all-time low and strict water rationing. Water from the Berg River Water Scheme was cut to forty-five percent of usual allocation, then further cut to twenty percent in December. Low soil moisture and limited irrigation led to reduced vigour and canopy size. Unseasonable rain and low temperatures in October and November disrupted fruit set and reduced berry number and size. Harvest timing was normal, beginning on February 2nd and continuing uninterrupted through February 27th. Noteworthy is the small berry size, on average twenty-five percent smaller by variety and largely under a gram per berry, adding to concentration.
2017 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon57%
Merlot21%
Cabernet Franc13%
Malbec9%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in seventy percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak barriques. Forty-six barrels were produced. Harvest commenced on the 6th of February with a few short pauses, and concluded on the 1st of March.
Tasting Notes
Nose: blackcurrant, blueberry, fresh juniper berry, violet perfume, dark fruits, chocolate, clove spice, hazelnut, slate, lead-like minerality, bittersweet Cola, spicy Cola
Palate: plush, serious weight, fine-grained tannins, crushed velvet, beautiful purity, striking intensity, dark fruit, clove spice
2016 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon62%
Merlot15%
Malbec12%
Cabernet Franc11%
Region Paarl
Harvest Dates February 3 - March 8
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 77% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak77%
Oak Types French
Production Details Twenty-two months in seventy-seven percent new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak. Thirty barrels were produced.
2015 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon57%
Merlot19%
Cabernet Franc15%
Malbec9%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 67% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak67%
Oak Types French
Production Details Harvest was very early, two weeks earlier than the previous year, starting on the 30th of January. Conditions leading up to ripening were warm and clear with no exceptionally hot spells - perfect weather. The shorter period from bloom to picking as well as the warm but moderate temperatures meant the berries arrived at the cellar in very good condition with very low rates of discard during individual berry sorting. Wines of the vintage are characterized by higher acidities, leading to great freshness, exceptional colour and seamless core structure. Varietal wines were very expressive and the blend came together in harmony. Forty four barrels were produced.
2014 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon65%
Merlot19%
Malbec10%
Cabernet Franc6%
Region Paarl
Harvest Dates February 18
Oak Aging 22 months
Bottle Aging 9 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types French
Production Details The series c was matured for twenty-two months in seventy percent new French oak barrels and a further nine months in bottle before release. Cellaring this wine for two years will enhance integration and flavour complexity and will reward the collector. With proper cellaring, Vilafonté series c 2014 will continue to develop its bouquet and palate for at least a decade and will continue to give pleasure for many more years. Decanting before serving is recommended for any wine of advanced complexity.
2013 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon58%
Merlot21%
Cabernet Franc13%
Malbec8%
Drinking Window at least a decade from release
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 23 months
Bottle Aging 10 months
Oak Details 70% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak70%
Oak Types French
Production Details Series C was matured for twenty-three months in seventy percent new French oak barrels and a further ten months in bottle before release. Cellaring this wine for two years will enhance integration and flavour complexity and will reward the collector. With proper cellaring, Vilafonté series c 2013 will continue to develop its bouquet and palate for at least a decade and will continue to give pleasure for many more years. Decanting before serving is recommended for any wine of advanced complexity.
2012 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon52%
Malbec22%
Merlot19%
Cabernet Franc7%
Drinking Window 2012-2032
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Bottle Aging 1 year
Oak Details 60% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak60%
Oak Types French
Production Details A cold, wet winter in 2011 laid a sound foundation for the 2012 vintage. The late October cooling trend in both day and night temperatures, delayed our normal early November flowering. Warmer conditions excellent for the grape flowers followed shortly after. December brought the much needed rains, well-spaced to the needs of the vines. January and February were drier than normal for our site and coupled with a mid-January heat spell with warm nights, worked well for the ripening. February’s temperatures dropped until mid-month. A burst of warmth pushed the vintage to its final stages for a Valentine’s Day start of harvest.
2011 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon51%
Merlot26%
Malbec14%
Cabernet Franc9%
Region Paarl
Harvest Dates February 14 - March 7
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 87% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak87%
Oak Types French
Production Details Harvest commenced on February 14th and concluded only 3 weeks later. The 2011 vintage was preceded by a balmy, dry Spring that presented small, concentrated berries. Warm days and cool nights continued through February, leading to a compact vintage. The one hectare parcels of vineyard were separately harvested, and the evenness of ripening of the grapes was measured. This year they were exceptionally even, resulting in outstanding flavour concentration.
2010 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon75%
Merlot10%
Cabernet Franc10%
Malbec5%
Drinking Window Savour for the next 20 years.
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Bottle Aging 1 year
Oak Details 90% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak90%
Oak Types French
Production Details Series C matured for 22 months in 90% new French oak barrels and 12 months in bottle before release. Cellaring this wine for 3 years will enhance integration and flavour complexity & will reward the collector.
2009 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon54%
Merlot27%
Cabernet Franc11%
Malbec8%
Drinking Window Enjoy now at a thrilling point in this wines evolution, or lay down to appreciate further mellowing for the next fifteen years or more.
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 22 months
Oak Details 100% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak100%
Oak Types French
Production Details The 'Series C style' is that of a firm, powerful and concentrated wine, rich in fruit at release and blended for long ageing. Cabernet Sauvignon for this blend comes from our most potent vineyard parcels; its Merlot component gives it a velvety texture, and Cabernet Franc contributes hints of violet flowers, and elegance. At release, it exudes aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and liquorice. Its secondary characters suggest a mineral presence of graphite and crushed rock, integrated with French oak. On entry, the palate shows very fine grained tannins, significant fruit weight and intensity, and great length. Series C 2009 can be held for three to five years for integration and flavour complexity. Savour for the next fifteen years. Deep ruby to garnet in colour, dense and showing fine orange rim variation. Aromatics are deep and layered. Exquisite dark aromas of blackcurrant compote, blueberry and ever present violet and graphite undertone. Silky entry on the palate, round, effortlessly balanced and framed by well-integrated tannins. The finish is extra-long with lovely purity of cassis fruit. Truly a decadent wine, pulsating with energy. For our Vilafonté vineyards, this was an outstanding vintage. The weather could best be described as 'consistent and mild'. Our harvest was complete before the hot weather in March, and our location protected us from the fynbos fires which plagued some vineyards. The vineyard was in excellent condition; grapes ripened without hesitation, the weather produced fruit with a lovely acid balance from vines with normal but not excessive stress; beautiful grapes; small but not tiny, deeply coloured with fresh lively flavours, from a modest crop, neither excessive nor tiny. Vilafonté makes its wine solely from our estate vineyard, and the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon grapes showed optimal ripeness characters: deep blue-black colour, brown seeds, soft tannins, black current flavours, and tender skins poised to give up their colour and flavours to the wine, during the fermentation. Twenty-three barrels were produced.
2008 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 15.0%
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon66%
Merlot28%
Malbec6%
Region Paarl
Natural Yeast Yes
Oak Aging 24 months
Bottle Aging 1 year
Oak Details 90% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak90%
Oak Types French
Production Details The 2008 vintage started warm but gave way to cooler temperatures in February and March for harvest, giving even ripening, acid retention, and fine phenolic ripeness. Volumes were significantly restricted due to variable weather at flowering. The vintage produced the most refined 'Series C' and is unique in that there is no Cabernet Franc in the blend. Decanting before the meal will provide intensified aromatics. Cellaring of this young wine will reward the collector.
Tasting Notes
Nose: black currants, Morello cherry preserve, cocoa powder, balsamic
Palate: fruit sweetness, flavour intensity, soft polished tannins, well-integrated oak, elongated finish
2007 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon74%
Merlot11%
Cabernet Franc9%
Malbec6%
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 24 months
Bottle Aging 1 year
Oak Details 90% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak90%
Oak Types French
Production Details The 2007 Series C matured for 24 months in 90% new French oak barrels and 12 months in bottle before its release in 2010. 34 barrels were produced. Decanting before a meal will provide intensified aromatics.
2006 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.9%
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon54%
Merlot40%
Cabernet Franc6%
Drinking Window 2007-2026
Region Paarl
Natural Yeast Yes
Oak Aging 22 months
Bottle Aging 1 year
Oak Details 95% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak95%
Oak Types French
Production Details The 2006 vintage was characterized by the smallest berries experienced to date leading to extremely deep, concentrated wines. The 2006 Series C is as powerful as the 2005 regarding fruit concentration, but more refined and elegant in structure due to the higher percentage of Merlot in this blend (40%), coupled with gentler extraction techniques. Dry, windy and warm in January. The rest of the harvest saw cool nights with some rain towards the end of harvest. A hot spell towards the end of harvest in March brought the last Cabernet blocks home. Production in barrels 47.
Food Pairing intense flavored red meat, game
2005 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.0%
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon66%
Merlot22%
Malbec6%
Cabernet Franc6%
Drinking Window 1-2 years from release, then over 8 years, then likely hold for another 10 years
Region Paarl
Oak Aging 18 months
Oak Types French
Production Details C's aromatics are deeply wound; some time in the glass shows sweet and sensuous black fruit in the nose; very expressive, with French oak underlying the fruit rather than dominating it. The wine is very young aromatically, exhibiting intense fruit; and, typically, 1-2 years from release the wine will start revealing its inherent complexity. Stylistically the C is reminiscent of the 2003 vintage, and shows a significant level of ripe tannin, which is silkier in texture than the 2003 vintage was initially. Flavours of chocolate, almost a sense of liquid blackberries, come in the mid and end of the palate, balanced against some firm tannins, then a long finish of fruit. Series C will fit well now with intense flavoured red meat and game; yet will reward hugely a cellaring period of 1-2 years, show additional development over 8 years, then likely hold for another 10 years. The combination of Cabernets (Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc) at 72% of the blend, with the smaller grapes of this vintage, is giving the tight structured foundation to Series C, making it a very powerful vintage of this Series. Windy weather and normal cycles of warm and cool weather leading up to the Cabernet harvest; warm and humid weather during its harvest, then cloudy and cool, and continued cool until we were finished.
2004 Technical Specifications
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon52%
Merlot35%
Cabernet Franc9%
Malbec4%
Region Paarl
Natural Yeast Yes
Oak Aging 19 months
Oak Details 71% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak71%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 225L French oak barrels
Production Details Dry winter, prolonged cool spell during Cabernet harvest, 3-day hot spell late Jan, 4-day hot spell early Feb, light rain March 2nd. Aged for 19 Months in 100% 225L French oak barrels. Barrels: Taransaud 39%, Francois Freres 33%. Yeast: 40% inoculations; 60% natural.
2003 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.5%
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon82%
Merlot9%
Cabernet Franc7%
Malbec2%
Drinking Window develop over ten years and easily hold for another ten
Region Paarl
Oak Details 54% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak54%
Production Details Production (barrels) 55.
Tasting Notes
black fruit, cassis, blackberry, dark flavors, pepper, chocolate, warm tones of oak, earthy flavors
Producer Information
Website
Address
Unit 7C, Distillery Road, Bosman's Crossing, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
Phone
+27 (0)21 886 4083
Email
Owner
The Ratcliffe Family
Cellarmaster
Chris de Vries