2022 Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt

2022 Vilafonté Seriously Old Dirt is a refined Bordeaux-style red blend from the acclaimed Paarl appellation in South Africa, crafted by one of the Cape’s most pioneering estates. Named after the ancient, low-vigour soils that define the vineyard, this wine offers impressive depth and polish at a remarkably accessible level. It channels the same meticulous care and precision as Vilafonté’s flagship bottlings, but in a more immediately approachable, versatile style.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Seriously Old Dirt shows a deep, youthful ruby colour with a vibrant, purple rim. The nose is expressive and layered: ripe blackcurrant, dark cherry and plum are woven with notes of graphite, cedar, cocoa, dried herbs and a gentle baking-spice lift from French oak. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with a sleek, modern texture. Juicy black and red fruits are framed by fine-grained tannins and lively acidity, giving both structure and freshness. Flavours of cassis, black cherry and mulberry are joined by hints of mocha, tobacco leaf and a subtle savoury note, leading to a long, refined finish. While beautifully drinkable in its youth, this vintage has the balance to age gracefully for 5–8 years, gaining more complexity and softness over time.

Production
Vilafonté’s vineyards lie on the Paarl-Simonsberg, an area renowned for producing some of South Africa’s most complete Bordeaux-style reds. The estate’s name comes from the ancient ‘Vilafontes’ soil series, among the oldest documented vineyard soils in the world, characterised by low fertility, excellent drainage and naturally restricted yields – ideal for concentrating flavour. Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc are hand-harvested in small batches at optimal ripeness, sorted berry by berry, and fermented in temperature-controlled tanks to preserve purity of fruit. The wine is then matured in French oak barrels (a portion new, the rest seasoned) to build texture and complexity while keeping the oak beautifully integrated, before blending and bottling on the estate.

Food & Serving
This is a highly food-versatile red that shines with flavourful, savoury dishes. Think grilled or roasted lamb, ribeye steak, venison, slow-braised beef, or chargrilled pork, as well as richer dishes like duck with red wine jus, mushroom risotto, or aubergine and lentil casseroles. Mature hard cheeses and aged goudas also make an excellent match. Serve at 16–18°C; if opened young, a short decant of 30–45 minutes helps the aromatics open and the tannins soften, especially if you are pairing it with more refined cuisine.

Producer
Vilafonté is a benchmark South African estate, founded as a joint venture between American winemaking legend Zelma Long, viticulturist Dr. Phil Freese and Cape wine entrepreneur Mike Ratcliffe. Established with a single-minded focus on producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends, it was one of the first properties in the Cape to be entirely dedicated to these varieties. From its meticulously farmed Paarl-Simonsberg vineyards, Vilafonté has earned an international reputation for precision, elegance and age-worthy reds, with its Series C and Series M wines regularly garnering top critical acclaim. Seriously Old Dirt was created as a way to showcase the same premier terroir and craftsmanship in a more approachable, everyday-luxury expression, helping cement Vilafonté’s status as a leading name in modern South African fine wine.

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