Seriously Old Dirt by Vilafonte WO Western Cape, 2021

There is substance in the name, which references Vilafontes, one of the world’s oldest recorded soil types (650 million years and counting) and the natural occurring outcrop which gives its name to the estate itself. Whether this gives an intrinsic advantage over younger soil types is a question best left to geologists. It is a good name, though. SOD is a regional blend from multiple growers, consisting predominately of Cabernet Sauvignon, a small slice of Malbec (8%), and a smattering of Merlot and Cabernet Franc (2%). There is a dedicated winemaker in Stellenbosch University graduate, Arlene Mains, who cut her teeth among the glitterati at both Opus One and Mouton Rothschild. So what of the wine? The 2021 has spent 18 months in older French oak barriques and is the result of a cool harvest that largely avoided the perennial Cape summer heatwaves. It shows a corresponding freshness and vibrancy, redcurrant and cherries mingling with the fuller dark fruit that one might expect from the traditional Cape blend. Harvest time was roughly two-weeks later than average, which may account for the nuanced nose, which holds something back before, on the palate, the fruit lets loose in an avalanche of plums, cassis, and more cherry. The acidity is gentle and the tannins assertive enough without ever overpowering. This is a wine designed to be drunk and enjoyed to the last drop. 2024-2033–MP