Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 50cl

£63.50 / bottle

3 in stock

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Website Klein Constantia

Description

Vin de Constance is a dessert wine made by Klein Constantia Estate. Klein Constantia is the oldest, most enduring vineyard region in the Cape, first producing wine in 1689. Klein Constantia’s philosophy is founded on quality rather than quantity, reflected in the wines regularly inviting accolades, both locally and internationally. Vin de Constance is one of the world’s most famous dessert wines. It became a favorite of European kings and emperors, such as Frederick the Great and Napoleon who had it ordered from his exile on St Helena. It is also mentioned in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility in which Mrs. Jennings recommends a little Constantia for “its healing powers on a disappointed heart”.

The modern era for Klein Constantia can arguable be said to start when Duggie Jooste bought the estate in 1979 and decided to revive the farm to its former winemaking glory with the help of Professor Chris Orferr of Stellenbosch University. In 1985 Klein Constantia released the first new vintages for commercial sale in over a century. Most recently the Jooste family sold the estate to Zdenek Bakala and Charles Harman in 2011. In 2012 the estate merged with Anwilka and gained two new shareholders in the form of wine world heavy weights Bruno Prats and Hubert de Boüard.

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance is made from Muscat de Frontignan (muscat blanc á petits grains). To make this sought-after wine the shrivelled grapes are late harvested by hand with bunch and berry selection. The wine is fermented and then aged in a combination of 50% new French oak, a small amount in Acacia barrels and some in large oak foudres. It is aged for a period of 3 years in barrel on the lees, before racking out, the portion are blended and then the wine is left to rest in tank for 6 months prior to bottling. The residual sugar for the 2019 is 166 g/L. The combination of residual sugar and alcohol levels has a well known preservative effect on bottled wine. This wine is capable of ageing for many decades, if not generations, from release.

The 2004 Vin de Constance makes an appearance in the second book of the 50 Shades erotic trilogy at a masked ball attended by the novel’s protagonists, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele!

Tasting Notes

Bright light gold in colour. A delicately perfumed yet elevated nose with flavours 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 flavours of oak spice, ginger and bright fruit. A delicate balance between sugar and acidity creating a seemingly dryer style of Vin de Constance. The wine concludes with a long and evolving finish with texture and a delicate spice.

Food Pairing

A classic match for desserts such as tarte tatin or creme caramel and also works well with soft and blue cheeses. A great match for foie gras.

Scores

  • 98 points – Decanter
  • 98 points – Greg Sherwood MW
  • 97 points – James Suckling
  • 97 points – Vinous
  • 96 points – Tim Atkin SA Report
  • 19+/20 – Matthew Jukes

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