Wonderfully bright on both the nose and palate. Concentrated flavours of apricot and orange zest with aspects of frangipani flowers abound. Mouth filling yet clean and focussed, the wine tapers into a rich luscious finish.
Region and Vineyards
The Vin de Constance originates from the historic Constantia wine region in the Western Cape, a terroir famed for producing some of South Africa’s finest dessert wines. The 2018 vintage benefited from the highest summer rainfall in six years, accompanied by some of the coolest nighttime temperatures. These conditions extended the growing season, allowing the grapes to develop nuanced flavors and concentration. The lighter bunches and small berries resulted in a wine with focused elegance and vibrant character, a hallmark of Klein Constantia’s unique vineyard management.
This year’s extended ripening period led to one of Klein Constantia’s longest harvests, which began in early February and extended to mid-April. The meticulous, phased harvesting of 21 individual batches allowed for optimal ripeness and varietal expression, with each parcel contributing a unique component to the final blend. These distinctive conditions enhanced the wine’s ability to capture both freshness and depth, hallmark traits of the Constantia terroir.
Winemaking
The 2018 Vin de Constance is made entirely from Muscat de Frontignan grapes, with each batch harvested according to acidity and ripeness to balance complexity and freshness. The parcels were vinified separately, with a focus on preserving aromatic intensity and structural balance. After fermentation, the wine was aged for three years in a combination of 50% new French oak barrels, large-format foudres, and a small number of acacia barrels. This diverse aging regimen lends complexity, integrating subtle notes of oak while allowing the inherent Muscat character to shine.
Following barrel aging, the final blend was meticulously crafted to achieve harmony among alcohol, acidity, and sugar. The resulting wine has a residual sugar level of 172 g/L, balanced by a natural acidity that gives it a fresh and lingering finish. This balance, combined with its structure and alcohol content, makes the wine well-suited for long-term aging, potentially lasting for decades.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Bright yellow-gold.
- Aroma: A complex nose with layers of Seville orange marmalade, ginger spice, and fresh grapefruit.
- Palate: Rich and full-bodied, with a luxurious mouthfeel and a fresh vibrancy. The wine is perfectly balanced with a harmonious interplay of salinity, acidity, spice, and sweetness. It finishes with a textured, pithy astringency and a lingering, concentrated finish.
Did You Know?
The Vin de Constance was one of the world’s most famous wines in the 18th and 19th centuries, enjoyed by royalty and literary figures alike. Its legendary status endures today, with each vintage meticulously crafted to honor this legacy.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Foie gras with spiced apple chutney: Complements the wine’s sweetness and spice.
- Blue cheese with honey and walnuts: Balances the wine’s acidity and highlights its fruit and nutty notes.
- Spiced apricot tart: The wine’s marmalade and citrus flavors harmonize with the tart’s fruitiness.
- Vanilla panna cotta with citrus zest: Enhances the wine’s vibrant acidity and creamy texture.
