Vilafonté 'Seriously Old Dirt' Cabernet Sauvignon, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa 2021
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
Vilafonté is a benchmark South African estate co-founded by American wine veterans Mike Ratcliffe and Zelma Long. The name references the ancient vilafontes soils—among the oldest viticultural soils on earth, dating back over 750,000 years. ‘Seriously Old Dirt’ is the estate’s second label, offering a more approachable expression of the Bordeaux varieties grown on the estate, while still maintaining the precision and structure that define Vilafonté’s wines.
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WINEMAKER: Chris de Vries
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FARMING: Sustainable
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VARIETY: Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc (exact percentages vary by vintage)
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TERROIR: Paarl Mountain foothills, planted on ancient vilafontes soils—deep, well-draining gravel, sandstone, and decomposed shale; warm days and cool nights contribute to steady phenolic ripening and natural acidity.
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VINIFICATION: Fermented in stainless steel and small open-top fermenters; gentle extraction and daily punchdowns; each block vinified separately.
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AGING: Aged 18 months in French oak (mostly second- and third-fill) to maintain freshness and purity of fruit.
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TASTING NOTES: Aromas of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a layered finish of dark berries, cocoa, and earth.
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FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled lamb chops, beef tagine, mushroom risotto, or aged cheddar.
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SCORES: 93 pts – Tim Atkin MW
Vilafonté is a benchmark South African estate co-founded by American wine veterans Mike Ratcliffe and Zelma Long. The name references the ancient vilafontes soils—among the oldest viticultural soils on earth, dating back over 750,000 years. ‘Seriously Old Dirt’ is the estate’s second label, offering a more approachable expression of the Bordeaux varieties grown on the estate, while still maintaining the precision and structure that define Vilafonté’s wines.
-
WINEMAKER: Chris de Vries
-
FARMING: Sustainable
-
VARIETY: Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc (exact percentages vary by vintage)
-
TERROIR: Paarl Mountain foothills, planted on ancient vilafontes soils—deep, well-draining gravel, sandstone, and decomposed shale; warm days and cool nights contribute to steady phenolic ripening and natural acidity.
-
VINIFICATION: Fermented in stainless steel and small open-top fermenters; gentle extraction and daily punchdowns; each block vinified separately.
-
AGING: Aged 18 months in French oak (mostly second- and third-fill) to maintain freshness and purity of fruit.
-
TASTING NOTES: Aromas of blackcurrant, plum, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and a layered finish of dark berries, cocoa, and earth.
-
FOOD PAIRINGS: Grilled lamb chops, beef tagine, mushroom risotto, or aged cheddar.
-
SCORES: 93 pts – Tim Atkin MW