2010 Constantia Glen, Five, Constantia, South Africa
Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/10/2014
Fragrant red berry nose with sweet plums, spice and a snapped green bean edge. Rich, juicy black fruit palate with a light spicy fringe, a pleasant squeeze of tannin and a smoky background showing leafy and meaty notes.
Decanter, Nov 2015
About this WINE
Constantia Glen
Constantia Glen is the newest of the eight wineries which have established themselves in the enclave of Constantia in South Africa, close to Cape Town itself. A landscape with a rich viticultural history, it is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest natural areas in which to produce premium wine.
Although the region is more commonly known for its white varietals, Constantia Glen’s unique position – lying between a gap in the mountains – allows red grapes to mature perfectly here as they bask in an additional one and a half hours’ sunlight every day. As such, Constantia Glen has made a name for its elegant, complex and beautifully balanced Bordeaux blends, wines which show exceptional value for money.
The red wines are based on the traditional Bordeaux grapes. The “Three” uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot; while the “Five” has the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
The reds are joined by two whites: a refreshing, crisp and classically proportioned Sauvignon Blanc and an energetic blend, the “Two”, which is made predominantly with Sauvignon Blanc (as one of the most aromatically pure examples in the country), with a touch of Sémillon to enhance its many layers.
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
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
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Description
The ‘Five’ is a reference to the blend of grape varietals that make up this wine, namely Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. 2010 was as near to perfect as it’s possible to be for cultivating grapes in this part of the world, with the harvest taking place even later than in the peerless 2009 vintage. The subsequent wine has a nose rich in blackcurrant fruit, black cherry, spice box and tobacco.
The palate is both rich and concentrated; with the dark fruit notes complimented by silky tannins and balanced acidity which lends freshness. The finish is lengthy and smooth with a mineral edge. This could benefit from a year or two in the cellar; however it’s already showing beautifully.
The 2011 Five blends together the five Bordeaux varieties (Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon) with great aplomb, creating a wine of sufficient richness and power to bring enormous pleasure to the senses, but, at the same time, an uncommon level of refinement and elegance at this price bracket. This is perfectly ready to drink now but will be impressive through to 2018.
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