2011 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

2011 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

Product: 20118006055
 
2011 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

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Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
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Description

The 2011 Vin de Constance continues a run of fine vintages for this celebrated wine. Marmalade, orange blossom, quince and honeycomb on the nose, with delightful spicy orange scented fruit on the palate, with some notes of mango, ginger and honey discreetly in the background. The key to the wine is the balancing acidity, which keeps the sweetness in check perfectly with a lingering finish. Delicious now, give this a couple of years in the cellar to blossom. Drink 2016 to 2025.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager

Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance is perhaps the best New World sweet wine money can buy. The 2011 is the latest in a line of excellent vintages and there is an air of confidence in the unhurried laid back nature of the wine on show here. Deep amber in appearance, there are subtle nuances of soft orchard fruits drifting upwards from the glass with a hint of an orangey citrus tang. It doesn’t impress with power but lulls you into submission with its broad, mouth coating feel, impressions of brandy snaps, citrus and cream and that tang that is hinted at on the nose. This is a graceful wine that whilst delicious and alluring now, will no doubt reveal further nuances with a few years age.
Peter Newton, Private Account Manager

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate93/100
The 2011 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine spent 36 months in 60% new French and Hungarian oak. It delivers 152 grams per liter residual sugar with a pH of 3.6. Here it is very perfumed with a dried honey, lanolin, marmalade and melted wax-scented bouquet that is nicely defined. The palate is viscous on the entry with fine acidity, quite sensual in the mouth with orange zest and marmalade notes, almost Barsac-like towards the finish that lingers long in the mouth. Gorgeous (as per usual).
Neal Martin - 30/11/2015 Read more
Stephen Tanzer93/100
Muscat de Frontignan; aged for 3-1/2 years in 50% new 500-liter barrels; 152 g/l r.s. with 7.2 g/l acidity): Deep gold. Pungent piney botrytis suggestions to the slightly medicinal aromas of orange marmalade, dried apricot and spearmint. Very sweet but not especially glyceral, conveying a captivating savoury quality to the flavors of orange liqueur, mint and spices. Almost bitter-edged at this early stage. Most impressive today on the very long, tannic, honeyed finish.
93/100 Stephen Tanzer – Vinousmedia.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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