Vilafonté
Seriously Old Dirt Merlot Blend
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
This wine comes from their young vines according to Sophia Hawkins who does their sales & marketing. She also mentioned this vineyards’s soil structure is also the oldest recorded on the planet. Please note, “Recorded”.
The nose shows, freshness, opulence & has sex appeal. Fruits are; ripe, lush, slightly candied and quite floral. Mixed red & dark berries. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals.
The body is round, full lush and elegant. The firm, meaty, dark, tarry, chewy tannins. For vines so young, the fruit is amazingly ripe & delicious. The florals are straight up beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, herbaceous notes, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil, dark crushed rocks, dark penetrating minerals with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish starts; ripe, juicy and on the long set brings the dry stone minerals. While this drinks beautifully now, wait for even better things in five years. 92 now with a chance of a couple more points.
I really enjoyed their wines quite a lot. Both the noses and palates.
Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities.
This wine comes from their young vines according to Sophia Hawkins who does their sales & marketing. She also mentioned this vineyards’s soil structure is also the oldest recorded on the planet. Please note, “Recorded”.
The nose shows, freshness, opulence & has sex appeal. Fruits are; ripe, lush, slightly candied and quite floral. Mixed red & dark berries. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals.
The body is round, full lush and elegant. The firm, meaty, dark, tarry, chewy tannins. For vines so young, the fruit is amazingly ripe & delicious. The florals are straight up beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, herbaceous notes, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil, dark crushed rocks, dark penetrating minerals with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish starts; ripe, juicy and on the long set brings the dry stone minerals. While this drinks beautifully now, wait for even better things in five years. 92 now with a chance of a couple more points.
I really enjoyed their wines quite a lot. Both the noses and palates.
Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities.
Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2012
Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt 2012
Mar 13th, 2016
Lovely cab blend with fruit forward approach. Improved with 3 hours of air. Not as rich as my favorite cabs but went well with filet.
Lovely cab blend with fruit forward approach. Improved with 3 hours of air. Not as rich as my favorite cabs but went well with filet.
Aug 22nd, 2025
Good wine. Didn't have it at the right temperature but it had good potential. Deep, blackberries, noticeable tanins..
Good wine. Didn't have it at the right temperature but it had good potential. Deep, blackberries, noticeable tanins..
Jun 30th, 2024
Maybe it was the long day or maybe the wine is just that good. Either way this hit the spot!
Maybe it was the long day or maybe the wine is just that good. Either way this hit the spot!
Jan 6th, 2024
Amazing Cabernet. It’s rich, spicy, and lush.
Amazing Cabernet. It’s rich, spicy, and lush.
Feb 20th, 2022
Decanted for an hour…needed the full hour. Full bodied, medium tannins, red cherry, fairly dry. Just delicious
Decanted for an hour…needed the full hour. Full bodied, medium tannins, red cherry, fairly dry. Just delicious
Jan 1st, 2022
Malbec 37%, Merlot 36%, Cabernet Sauvignon 26%, Cab Franc 1%
“Scents of Black and red cherry, Cassis, violet, sweet tobacco, graphite, ground coffee, cacao nibs, and dusty earth carry over to the full bodied palate. Tannins are silky and fine-grained… - Ian Cauble-Master sommelier, SommSelect
Malbec 37%, Merlot 36%, Cabernet Sauvignon 26%, Cab Franc 1%
“Scents of Black and red cherry, Cassis, violet, sweet tobacco, graphite, ground coffee, cacao nibs, and dusty earth carry over to the full bodied palate. Tannins are silky and fine-grained… - Ian Cauble-Master sommelier, SommSelect
