2008 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

2008 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

Product: 20088006055
Wine Advocate95/100
Prices start from £340.00 per case Buying options
2008 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

Buying options

Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
Case format
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6 x 50cl half litre bottle
BBX marketplace BBX 2 cases £340.00
1 x 150cl magnum
BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £200.00
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Description

The 2008 Vin de Constance is a worthy successor to the extraordinarily rich 2007. The wine is a result of meticulous care in the vineyard, with pickers passing through more than a dozen times to collect fruit at differing levels of ripeness and raisinification to build the layers of this complex wine. The deep gold colour hints at the richness within, the lifted, intense nose of ripe apricots and tropical fruits beguiles, whilst the weighty palate carries through the ripe fruit notes of the nose, mingled with sweet clove spice and an unexpected savoury twist on the lingering finish that makes one want to take another sip. Powerful, yet not cloying, rich but elegant, this is one of the world’s truly great sweet wines.
Martin Hudson MW - Wine Buyer

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Critics reviews
Wine Advocate95/100
The 2008 Vin de Constance is the latest release from the estate. We were happy with the 2008, Matthew told me. But it was tough to follow-up a great vintage. It spent a slightly shorter time in barrel and has 160g/L residual sugar with a pH of 3.6. It had the lowest volatile acidity in a Vin de Constance in a long time. To me the 2008 is more toward the older style of Vin de Constance. It already offers a very complex bouquet with fresh pineapple, quince, Japanese yuzu, just a hint of grass clippings and then later mille fieulle. It is obviously tightly wound at the moment, but extremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine viscous entry that immediately comes across as very elegant and refined. It feel smooth and pure gentle in the mouth, caressing the senses with its quince and marmalade tinged finish with a suggestions of shaved ginger on the aftertaste. Returning after 40 minutes, the finish has mellowed and attained a beguiling effervescent quality, almost like an unctuous Lucozade! Wonderful.
Neal Martin - 31/10/2013 Read more
Will Lyons
This honeyed, sweet wine from the Western Cape actually dates back to the 18th century when it was as sought after as Château Lafite. Not too heavy the bright texture and ripe fruit make it ideal to enjoy with Christmas pudding.
Will Lyons - wsj.com Read more

About this WINE
Klein Constantia

Klein Constantia

Klein Constantia is a wine farm in Constantia, a ward in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. It was once part of a larger estate called Constantia, which was founded in 1685. Following the death of founder Simon Van der Stel in 1712, that estate was sold at auction and divided into three distinct properties. Perhaps best known for the sweet wine Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia is among South Africa’s best-known producers.

The estate is owned by a number of businesspeople, including Zdeněk Bakala and Charles Harman, who acquired it in 2011. The following year, Klein Constantia merged with Stellenbosch’s Anwilka Estate. The latter’s Bordelais owners Hubert de Boüard (of Château Angélus) and Bruno Prats (formerly of Cos d’Estournel ) became shareholders as a result.

Head winemaker here is Matthew Day. The talented young South African worked internationally (in Bordeaux, Barossa Valley, and Napa Valley) before joining, initially as an assistant winemaker, in 2008. In addition to Vin de Constance, Matthew and his team craft a complete range that includes red, white, rosé, and even sparkling wines. He is particularly interested in Sauvignon Blanc, taking inspiration from some of the Loire Valley's top producers, including the late Didier Dagueneau. Vin de Constance is a naturally sweet wine from the Muscat de Frontignan grape.

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Constantia

Constantia

The historically important if tiny wine district of Constantia lies in Cape Town’s southern wards, and on the most southerly point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope.

Constantia is most famous for its ancient dessert wine Vin de Constance (made from Muscat de Frontignan)  as produced by Klein Constantia estate.

The cooling, south-easterly sea breezes make Constantia a natural site for Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon as well as Muscat.

The district is home to a mere 8 wine estates, including Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Buitervenwachting, Constantia Uitsig, Eagles' Nest, Steenberg, Constantia Glen

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Muscat

Muscat

Muscat refers to a family of grapes of which there are around 200 different branches. Muscat Blancs à Petits Grains is the most noble of the variety and makes the best and most distinctive wines. It is the only wine grape that produces wines that actually taste of grapes, and can produce a range of wines from pale, bone dry whites, through to golden yellow, rich, sweet wines.

In Alsace, two types of Muscat are grown - Muscat Blancs à Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel. They are usually blended to produce wines that tend to be light and dry with a fruity, musky character and an intensely aromatic bouquet. Intensely sweet late harvest wines are also produced.

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is one of the best Vin Doux Naturels in France. This is produced by adding grape spirit to the partly fermented must - the best producers, such as Domaine de Durban, produce deliciously sweet wines with rich grapey aromas balanced by fruity acidity.

In Australia Muscat à Petit Grains is used to produce the fortified Liqueur Muscats of Victoria (esp. Rutherglen). These are extraordinary wines - dark and treacly with a sensational perfume of orange, raisins and honey.

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