Vilafonté wins big at IWSC 2024

Staff Reporter|Published 2 months ago

At the recent team celebration, from left, Edward Pietersen (winegrower), Mike Ratcliffe (Vilafonté owner), Arlene Main, winemaker of Seriously Old Dirt, and head winemaker, Chris de Vries.

Vilafonté head winemaker Chris de Vries, left, has worked for the past decade with winegrower Edward Pietersen (who has been winegrower since 2006). They are standing in their Paarl vineyards.

Vilafonté head winemaker Chris de Vries, left, with winegrower Edward Pietersen, in front of a French château this July.

Vilafonté winemaker Chris de Vries, left, with winegrower Edward Pietersen. This July, they visited Château Rauzan-Segla in Margeaux, Bordeaux.

Vilafonté has once again captured the world’s attention, this time claiming the highest global honour at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London.

As the highlight of the ceremony, Vilafonté was awarded the IWSC Outstanding Wine Producer Trophy – the evening’s most coveted accolade – in recognition of its exceptional contributions to winemaking, alongside the esteemed Red Wine Producer Trophy, which recognises Vilafonté as the producer of the best red wine in the world.

Competing among over 4 000 wines from 90 countries, Vilafonté’s success is a testament to South Africa’s influence on the world stage of fine wine.

Owner Mike Ratcliffe accepted these top honours on behalf of Vilafonté, along with trophies for the celebrated Series C and Series M wines.

Each award embodies the winery’s two-decade journey of dedication to quality, a masterful balance between power and elegance, and a deep connection between wine and the human experience.

Building on its 2021 titles, Vilafonté’s recent achievements reaffirm South Africa’s position as a leading wine-producing region globally.

This historic victory for Vilafonté is a triumph that places South African wine artistry among the world’s finest, and a legacy that grows with each accolade.

Winemaker Chris de Vries says: “These accolades are not just a celebration of Vilafonté’s journey, but a reflection of the passion, precision, and perseverance that define the South African winemaking community.

“It is an honour to share this recognition with our peers and to carry the flag for our country’s fine wine heritage. Every bottle tells a story, and these awards inspire us to continue crafting wines that resonate with meaning and purpose on a global stage.”

Vilafonté is based in Distillery Road, Stellenbosch, and their vineyard is in Paarl.

Winemaker’s notes:

The Vilafonté Series C 2022 is newly-released, and received 95 Points from Greg Sherwood. Cellaring potential is up to 20 years; Cultivar: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec; R1 995.

Series C expresses a quiet reflection of the time and place, and 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.

There is a subtle hint of dried citrus peel and smoky char adds complexity, and 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.

The Vilafonté Series M 2021 received 96 Points from Robert Parker; and 94 Points from Tim Atkin MW. Cellaring potential is 5 to 25 years, and the cultivar is 41% Merlot, 35% Malbec, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc; R1 260.

A masterpiece, the Series M 2021 is enticingly dense with complex and exotic aromas and rich with flavour, owing to the Merlot and Malbec components that define this blend.

It presents an opaque purple-black hue, with little variation from its centre to the glass’s edge. As it unwinds in the glass, savoury charcuterie and sweet baking spices give way to fragrant, zesty bergamot and jasmine tea.

Seductively well-articulated fruit notes of ripe mulberry, blackberry and red currants are complemented by hints of star anise and dried mandarin rind. A subtle underlying ferrous tone of intrigue.

The palate is beautifully round and effortlessly long. A texture reminiscent of crushed velvet envelops the senses, revealing a pleasurable structure, abundant yet precise power, and a supple, mouth-coating quality.

Gorgeous umami flavours of Parma ham harmonise seamlessly with saline minerality, culminating in intense, fruit-driven finish.

While the 2021 Series M 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.

2021 Vilafonté Series C; 99 Points, Robert Parker; R1 889.

2021 Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt; 91 Points, Tim Atkin MW; R259.

2014 Vilafonté Series C 1.5L; 94 Points, Robert Parker; R11 500.

● Bolander ran a feature on Vilafonté head winemaker Chris de Vries six years ago (“A match made in heaven”, December 12, 2018), and he is the nephew of the editor, Carolyn Frost.