Series M

Pair best with hearty, flavourful, and fatty meat dishes.

The 2023 vintage reminded us how swiftly light can turn to shadow, and how timing alone can separate fortune from misfortune. Outstanding early conditions carried us through harvest, our final lots secured only days before March 4th brought a week of rain that might have rewritten the story entirely. Picking began on February 2nd and continued until March 1st, a slightly extended window, shaped by a warm first half of February followed by a cooler close. This shift tempered ripening, allowing balance and freshness to define the fruit. Berry weights reflected the season: Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc were modestly smaller (1–3%) than average, lending natural concentration, while Cabernet Sauvignon berries were slightly larger, contributing generosity and an approachable tannin profile. Although March delivered over 60 mm more rain than the norm, our harvest was safely in before the downpours, leaving us among the fortunate few who carried the season’s promise intact into the cellar. The resulting wines show a poised tension between ripe black fruit and lifted freshness, framed by fine tannins and classical structure. Opulence is tempered by clarity, and the 2023s stand as wines of both immediate allure and assured longevity.

22 months in 25% new French oak barrique, with the balance in older French oak.

Vilafonté is a Stellenbosch wine estate recognised for producing some of South Africa's most sought-after Bordeaux-style red blends. Best known for Series C and Series M, the winery combines meticulous vineyard selection with a long-term approach to crafting wines built for both immediate enjoyment and extended cellaring.