Klein Constantia Estate ‘Vin de Constance’
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Klein Constantia ‘Vin de Constance’ is a natural sweet dessert wine produced in the Constantia, Western Cape region.
- The unique location, climate and soils of the estate call for the making of terroir-driven wines. The vineyard has soils that originate from granite formed up to 600 million years ago and can be divided mainly between deep fertile Oakleaf on the lower slopes and drier Glenrosa with a saprolite subsoil higher up.
- This well-drained, fertile, decomposed granite with high clay content ensures good water retention. The combination of residual sugar and alcohol levels has a well known preservative effect on bottled wine.
- This wine is capable of aging for many decades if not generations from the release date.Varietal Composition: 100% Muscat de Frontignan
Elaboration: 26 different passes raging from high acidity to the later portion of very ripe raisins. Each pass was vinified separately initially and then blended together during the latter part of fermentation in order to balance out the sugar, alcohol and acidity. This allows the fermentation to stop naturally and without any intervention. The wine is aged for 18 months in 50% new oak 500L barrels & then a further 18 months in large format fourdres before blending
and bottling.
Tasting Notes: Bright light gold in color. A delicately perfumed yet elevated nose with flavors of white peach, citrus blossom and orange zest. There is an intriguing creaminess on the nose followed by nutmeg and lemon curd. The palate abounds with complex flavors of oak spice, ginger and bright fruit. A delicate balance between sugar and acidity creates a seemingly dryer style of Vin de Constance. The wine concludes with a long and evolving finish with texture and a delicate spice.
PRESS
2019 – 98 Decanter | 97 Vinous | 97 James Suckling |96 Wine Advocate
2020 – 97 Wine Advocate | 96 Wine Spectator | 96 Decanter | 95 Vinous
2021 – 97 Vinous | 95 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Majestic beauty. That’s the best way to describe the historic vineyards of Klein Constantia. Situated among the ancient trees on the upper foothills of the South African region of Constantiaberg, the vines have been producing grapes for centuries. The wine produced from the fruit of those vines is as much a pleasure to the palate as the view of the vineyard is to the eyes.
In May 2011 the Estate was purchased by Zdenek Bakala and Charles Harman. The following year Bruno Prats and Hubert de Boüard merged their Stellenbosch based farm “Anwilka” with Klein Constantia.
The wines of Klein Constantia are a combination of nature and nurture. Nature provides a unique location, including decomposed granite soils and gentle slopes cooled by ocean breezes. Simple winemaking techniques, driven by environmentally responsible farming and a non-interventional wine making style, produce wines of exceptional character.