Klein Constantia - Vin De Constance Dessert Wine South Africa 2019 (500ml)

The estate is situated just south of Cape Town on the higher parts of a valley that had been part of a land grant established in 1685 for farming. Vines have been grown on these slopes since at least 1692 under the name Constantia. This upper part of the valley is made up of decomposed granite with high clay content and benefits from cool ocean breezes making the location particularly suitable for growing grapes.

Although a wide range of wines is produced at Klein Constantia, the estate’s most famous wine is the Vin de Constance, a naturally sweet wine made from Muscat de Frontignan, which was first made in 1990, seeking to revive what was believed to be a similar wine made here in centuries past. Such is the sugar content of this wine that fermentation can take up to a year. This is the most esteemed wine in South Africa, which can age for decades. 

Since 2011 the estate has been in the ownership of Zdenek Bakala, a Czech-American philanthropist. The vineyard merged a year later with Anwilka Vineyards in Stellenbosch, which already had Bordeaux’s Bruno Platts and Hubert de Bouard as shareholders.

The 2019 Vin de Constance is matured for 18 months in 500-liter Hungarian and French oak barrels 50% new followed by another 18 months in oak foudres. The growing season saw more sunlight hours than previous vintages (2998 compared to 2588 in 2018 for example). It has an understated nose almost Sauternes-like even if it does not contain an ounce of botrytis. Subtle nutty aromas percolate through the wild honey and quince scents wax resin and lanolin. The palate is medium-bodied and very pure. Disarmingly fine acidity it is slightly Germanic towards the finish. with a hint of lemongrass lingering on the aftertaste. This is a superb Vin de Constance under the tenure of Matt Day that is a step closer to what you might confusingly call a non-sweet dessert wine. - By Neal Martin on July 2022

Floral focused and sweet the 2019 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine bursts out of the glass with layers of picturesque sweet citrus and stone fruit purée. The palate possesses a brilliant balance between succulent sweet fruit flavors and layers of complexity that sway with focus and finesse power and prestige. Gobs of sweet citrus and white peach are on display with attractive healthy fruit showing an impeccable balance between residual sugar and energetic acidity. This beauty will last for decades and has me dreaming of aged soft blue cheeses. Published: Dec 29 2023