Klein Constantia - Vin De Constance Dessert Wine South Africa 2007 (500ml)

The estate is situated just south of Cape Town on the higher parts of a valley that had been part of a land grant established in 1685 for farming. Vines have been grown on these slopes since at least 1692 under the name Constantia. This upper part of the valley is made up of decomposed granite with high clay content and benefits from cool ocean breezes making the location particularly suitable for growing grapes.

Although a wide range of wines is produced at Klein Constantia, the estate’s most famous wine is the Vin de Constance, a naturally sweet wine made from Muscat de Frontignan, which was first made in 1990, seeking to revive what was believed to be a similar wine made here in centuries past. Such is the sugar content of this wine that fermentation can take up to a year. This is the most esteemed wine in South Africa, which can age for decades. 

Since 2011 the estate has been in the ownership of Zdenek Bakala, a Czech-American philanthropist. The vineyard merged a year later with Anwilka Vineyards in Stellenbosch, which already had Bordeaux’s Bruno Platts and Hubert de Bouard as shareholders.

Extraordinary aromas of white peaches apricots vanilla and flowers. Full-bodied and very sweet with so much sweet and dried fruit such as apricots and tangerines yet it maintains citrusy freshness and texture with a long very sweet finish. Always energetic and vivid. Great length to this. Goes on for minutes. It’s a sweet wine to drink when young to marvel over the intensity and verve yet also one to age for decades. Drink or hold.

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Although I have tasted the 2007 Vin de Constance on several occasions this was the first time professionally. It has an explosive bouquet that sprints out of the blocks with a more effervescent vivacious personality than the 2008. Citrus lemon Seville orange marmalade touches of mandarin and a dash of spice all vie for attention. The aromatics are more Sauternes-like than the 2008. The palate is very well-balanced with a viscous opening a keen thread of acidity and a bewitching sense of poise and focus. This is probably the finest Vin de Constance to date as it fans out marvellously on the multi-layered finish. This is a startling world-class wine that gives Yquem a run for its money."

Gorgeous featuring a core of creamed peach persimmon maple and nectarine notes inlaid with flashes of green tea dried papaya and mango. Lush and refined with accents of blood orange and mouthwatering spice echoing on the finish.