2019 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance (500ml)

Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia has a history dating back over 300 years. In the 18th and 19th centuries “the sweet luscious and excellent wine of Constantia” was recognised as one of the great wines of the world, savoured by royalty and given pride of place in the cellars of the world’s greatest wine collectors. Although production ceased during the mid-to-late 1800s, it was revived in the 1980s during the redevelopment of Klein Constantia Estate. Early records were studied and careful selection made from vines which, in all likelihood, came from the original stock used in Constantia 300 years ago. Vin de Constance is a late-harvest style made from Muscat de Frontignan (aka Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) grapes, without botrytis.
Bright straw golden colour. Enchanting aromas of honeyed peach and apricot, dried pineapple, marmalade and hints of spicy lemon butter intoxicate the olfactory senses. Rich and exceptionally concentrated with a thick viscous textural feel, the palate is completely overwhelmed with a chorus of sweet peach, honeyed apricot, marmalade, pineapple and spice flavours. Powerful and long with natural acidity lending freshness, it finishes sweet and luscious.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
Butterscotch, lemon patisserie and peach aromas. Pristine quality to the texture, lively and thrilling, this is a serious, opulent and powerful wine, more on the spiced, nuanced side with aspects of dried herbs, wood scents and bitter lemon and orange with a touch of honeyed lychee. It feels supremely complex and characterful. Sophisticated, layered and balanced with some minerality, a slight graphite edge all of which adds to the whole. It's still extremely youthful but there is real sculpting here, a sense of precision, style and freshness. Well crafted with an extremely long life ahead. A wonder, and one of the best from the estate! Drink: 2024 - 2056.
98 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter

The 2019 Vin de Constance is matured for 18 months in 500-liter Hungarian and French oak barrels, 50% new, followed by another 18 months in oak foudres. The growing season saw more sunlight hours than previous vintages (2,998 compared to 2,588 in 2018 for example). It has an understated nose, almost Sauternes-like even if it does not contain an ounce of botrytis. Subtle nutty aromas percolate through the wild honey and quince scents, wax resin and lanolin. The palate is medium-bodied and very pure. Disarmingly fine acidity, it is slightly Germanic towards the finish. with a hint of lemongrass lingering on the aftertaste. This is a superb Vin de Constance under the tenure of Matt Day that is a step closer to what you might confusingly call a non-sweet dessert wine. Drink: 2027-2050.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Bright, medium to deep gold hue, showing focused and pure aromas of honeysuckle, fresh vanilla, lemon tart, dried mango, ginger and a hint of saffron. Certainly quite sweet, but not unctuous, with the natural, effortless acidity managing to balance the lushness. Intense, yet scented and naturally expressive. Persistent finish. You crave for a second glass if you drink it now, but you can also hold it for a decade in your cellar.
97 points
James Suckling