Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, 2016 - 50cl
Klein Constantia, Vin De Constance, 2016 - 50cl
- Dessert
- Muscat
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Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance was the subject of a recent article from Neal Martin imploring wine lovers to take notice of a "quiet revoluton" at this estate, the 2016 is striding out the gates with a joint highest-ever 97 points from Neal Martin.
One would easily mistake Vin de Constance for a regional wine such as Sauternes or Tokaji, such is its history and reference base (it pops up in Austen novels and was a favourite during Napoleon's exile according to Neal), but it is in fact the effort of Klein Constantia, a single, scenic estate in South Africa who since 1685 have been quietly making one of the world's most distinctive, collectible whites.
With winemaker Matt Day at the helm the wine has gone from strength to strength, with reduced usage of new oak & aging in larger foudres opening a new chapter in Vin de Constance's life. For Neal Martin "the wine has become more refined and poised" since Matt Day took over in 2011, "unencumbered by the sometimes heavy cloak of oak that can put some people off Sauternes and renders Vin de Constance easier to drink in its youth. Recent vintages have been marked by an attractive airy quality on the nose, like a discreet perfume that reels in your olfactory senses, an appealing lightness of touch that Day has clearly been aiming for."
What the critics say:
"100% Muscat de Frontignan. This is the first vintage of Vin de Constance that will be sold through the Place de Bordeaux. The 2016 vintage was earlier than anticipated due to El Niño causing a warm and dry weather build-up to harvest, resulting in faster-ripening fruit. Still it yielded berries with concentrated flavours and well-balanced acidity. Fortunately, in the Constantia Valley the winery received enough rainfall, even during the driest of seasons, and was safeguarded with sufficient moisture in the soils, unlike some warmer regions in the country. The property was also protected from the extreme heat spikes by their proximity to the ocean, experiencing predominantly cool night-time temperatures allowing for the perfect and slow raisining conditions for the development of ripeness while retaining a good natural acidity. Harvest from 25 February to 22 March.Sweet and fragrant on the nose. Layers of honey, acacia, sultana and earthy spices. The palate is sweet but not remotely cloying, with bright acidity and great intensity of fruit and marmalade. Harmonious and intense, with superb purity and vibrancy. Mellow raisined notes are lifted by floral orange blossom, cinnamon and sweet vanilla spice. Unerring and long on the finish, superb!"
"Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 2015 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure."
"The 2016 Vin de Constance is matured in 50% French acacia oak, Hungarian oak and regular French oak, and 50% in French foudres. This has more delineation and precision on the nose compared to the previous vintage, offering acacia honey, quince, saffron and touches of elderflower in the background. The palate is very well balanced with fine precision, a killer line of acidity and disarming purity toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. Stunning."
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Klein Constantia
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