2019 Vilarfonte Seriously Old Dirt South Africa Red

2019 Vilarfonte Seriously Old Dirt South Africa Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

VILAFONTE

SERIOUSLY OLD DIRT
SOUTH AFRICA RED 2019

2019 Vilarfonte Seriously Old Dirt South Africa Red
Vilafonté Winery, named after the ancient Vilafontes soils of the region, is located on the bench of the Simonsberg Mountains in South Africa. Their vineyards contain one of the oldest soil types in the world, with healthy, nutrient-deficient topsoils that have not been disturbed for millennia. Vilafonte’s expert team includes Dr. Phil Freese, who spent 13 years as Robert Mondavi’s VP of Wine Growing and was instrumental in designing the first Opus One Vineyards.
 
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec are planted at a high density on the estate, encouraging smaller vines with smaller yields of highly concentrated fruit. The 2019 Seriously Old Dirt is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend matured in used French oak barrels allowing the characteristics of the Vilafontes soils and the regional terroir to speak through the wine.
 
VILAFONTE
SERIOUSLY OLD DIRT
SOUTH AFRICA RED 2019
 
 
 
“Aromas of redcurrants and dark earth follow through to a full body with plenty of dark-cherry and berry flavors and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy and round tannins, yet tight and focused. Bark and berry aftertaste. Drink or hold.”
93 Points
2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

RUSTENBERG 

2014 JOHN X MERRIMAN 
BORDEAUX BLEND
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

2014 Rustenberg John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend South Africa

 
There are many reasons why South Africa has some of the most unique terroirs anywhere in the world. The iconic Stellenbosch Mountains have soils that are approximately 600 million years old, which is more than three times older than the soils in Napa Valley. The wines of Stellenbosch can often show interesting mineral notes from the decomposed granite soils, and when done right, they can be extraordinary. I’ve been searching for the right South African wine to bring into the shop, and we recently found it in Rustenberg’s 2014 John X Merriman Bordeaux Blend, Simonsberg. At $28, this is a stunning bottle of wine.   
 
Rustenberg was founded in 1682, and the wine team makes its flagship John X Merriman Bordeaux styled blend in honor of a former owner who played a vital role in revitalizing the Estate. The blend is always predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in 2014 it encompasses all of Bordeaux’s top 5 grapes. 
 
The Estate vines climb the red slopes of Simonsberg, and the winery monitors each block independently for acid/pH levels, natural sugars and flavors, before vinifying the blocks separately. The final blend is a stunning representation of the Estate, and at $28, don’t miss getting this delightful wine. 
 
RUSTENBERG 
2014 JOHN X MERRIMAN 
BORDEAUX BLEND
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The 2014 John X Merriman is the spiciest vintage to date according to Murray Barlow, due to the cooler growing season that did not go past 30 degrees Celsius during the season. Matured in 35% new oak for 20 months, that spice-box element does percolate through the red berry fruit on the nose, touches of bay leaf and melted tar emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin on the entry, a fine seam of acidity, grippy and quite assertive at first, but calmer towards the finish with that long spicy/pepper tail on the aftertaste. Give this 2-3 years in bottle. This is discretely classy even if it is just missing that “X” factor.” 90 Points