Peter Veldsman & Dirkie Christowitz Private Collection
Live Virtual Auction, 15 May 2022
Session 1
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
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 modern cellar practices ensured that Vilafonté was at the cutting-edge of fine wine. The Merlot and Malbec dominated Series M offers more spice and flair, while the Cabernet Sauvignon based Series C is serious and more structured. Maiden vintages offer perfectly mature, poised wines almost two decades down the line and Series C and M are of the highest scoring Bordeaux-style reds in South wines. Today Vilafonté is South Africa’s most luxurious red wine brand.
'refined' - Zelma Long
Critics Ratings
‘Clearly Cab led (52%), which the name implies: more austere, imposing than the Series M, though influential 35% Merlot adds sweet-fruited mid-palate flesh. ‘04 has a serious tannin grip but also verve and freshness to balance the riper style, ensuring ageing potential. Seasoned with Cabernet Franc and Malbec (9/4%). Seamlessly polished by 19 months in ±70% new barriques. IWC gold.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2007, 4.5*
‘Series C is the Cabernet-dominated version of a wine that brings together the winemaking talents of California winemaker Zelma Long and her viticulturist husband Phil Freese, along with Warwick Estate's Mike Ratcliffe and San Francisco-based importer Bartholemew Broadbent. Coffee, chocolate and dark berry fruits dominate this brooding wine that shows intensity and power. Yet it never becomes heavy or overripe—here there is a good sense of balance that lifts the wine, especially in the aftertaste.’ - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (Nov 2006)
Provenance
Private Client