South African Wine Information Centre
Spotlight June 2013
 


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Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2006
tasting notes
Golden hued, deep amber in appearance. First nose is of freshly dried pineapples with hints of vanilla and roasted almonds. Heady woodspice scents intermingle with fresh mandarin, lemongrass and mango.

The seamless palate is elegantly structured, with ripe tropical flavours of mango and pineapple. Raisined Muscat flavours provide concentrated acidity and a piercing lift to the seemingly endless finish.

blend information
100% Muscat de Frontignan

accolades
eRobertParker.com
August 2011 | Neal Martin | 95 Points | Drink 2011 - 2050 | $50
Klein Constantia's most famous wine, the 2006 Vin de Constance underwent several tries during picking in order to eliminate green fruit, and the 2006 includes 10% raisined berries, some as Aszu and 80% whole bunches. It has a heavenly bouquet with apricot blossom, honeysuckle, elderflower and pear drop that is mesmerizing. The palate is vibrant and animated with notes of raisin, fresh fig and Seville orange marmalade. It has a life-enhancing silver thread of acidity and a long waxy, honeyed finish that lacquers the mouth but is imbued with great freshness and vitality. It is easy to see why this elixir was so coveted 200 years ago.

One of South Africa's most iconic wineries, in the 18th century the sweet wines of Constantia were esteemed in the same way as China covets Lafite-Rothschild. For decades the wines were forgotten, but are now once again, highly coveted. The good news is that a recent bottling does not cost the thousands of dollars of an 18th century bottle. Just days after I visited, the Jooste family sold their shares to Zdenek Bakala and Charles Harman, from the US and UK respectively and I tasted the wines with Adam Mason, who will continue his role as winemaker.

Wine Enthusiast November 2011- 93 points
Butterscotch, honeyed almonds and candied ginger-orange peel lead the way on the nose of this late harvest Muscat. Rich, overripe mango and honeydew add levity to the palate, lifting the heady spice and viscous, syrupy flavors. The long finish carries a tinge of pithiness, adding some tongue-smacking texture to the close. Has aging potential, though it's certainly also enjoyable now. Cape Classics. -L.B.

Top Natural Sweet Wine at Terrior awards in 2010

5 stars in the John Platter 2011 Wine Guide

Stephen Tanzer March/April 2011 - Deep, full orange-gold. Knockout nose offers orange, apricot, cherry, raspberry, mace, nutmeg, honey and flowers. Thick, very sweet and hugely concentrated; like liquid velvet in the mouth but with outstanding energy to its palate-staining orange and apricot fruit. Utterly seamless wine with a palate-staining, lightly saline aftertaste hinting at red berries. 95

 
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