Klein Constantia : Vin de Constance 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2023

Tasting

Nose

The nose is openly expressive, with notes of lime zest and marmalade, enhanced by a touch of buttery caramel and a delicate hint of cheesecake.

Palate

The palate is complex and precise, unfolding aromas of fig jam, ripe apricot and quince. A slightly restrained residual sugar allows the acidity to support the fruit with elegance and clarity. Nuances of nutmeg and exotic spices complement a well-integrated oak, bringing a touch of vanilla and fine spice. The long, fresh finish combines richness and mastery.

A South African sweet white wine marked by elegance and balance

The estate

Located in the Western Cape region of South Africa, Klein Constantia can trace its history back to 1685.

Simon van der Stel, a senior official of the Dutch East India Company, founded his estate, Groot Constantia, during this period, naming it in honour of his wife Constance. There he developed a vast vineyard. His wines quickly gained international renown, gracing some of the most illustrious tables. Louis XVI, George Washington, Charles Baudelaire and Napoleon Bonaparte all contributed to the growing reputation of this great sweet white wine.

Douglas 'Duggie' Jooste, a former executive at Sedgwick's, a family-owned company specialising in sherry (Jerez), acquired the then-neglected estate in 1980.

In 2011, Zdenek Bakala, a Czech-born American banker, and Charles Harman, a vice-chairman at JPMorgan, took over the estate. Supported by two French shareholders, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, co-owner of Château Angélus (Saint-Émilion), and Bruno Prats, former owner of Château Cos d'Estournel, the two co-owners embarked on an extensive renovation of the vineyard, with the ambition of elevating the estate among the most prestigious names in South Africa.

The vineyard

Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance is a wine from the Western Cape made exclusively from the estate's emblematic grape variety, Muscat de Frontignan.

The vineyard dedicated to this cuvée covers 16.5 hectares of terraces on the celebrated Constantiaberg mountain. Its soils, composed of granite and clay, ensure a balanced water supply and sufficient reserves, protecting the vines from water stress during hot, arid summers.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage stands out for its unique character, combining balance and precision, shaped by a slow, cool ripening and a harvest spread out over time. A mild, dry winter led to an early start to the growing season, followed by a slightly uneven flowering that naturally limited yields. More temperate summers preserved a lovely vibrancy, while late-season rainfall called for a rigorous selection of the grapes. Despite reduced volumes and more concentrated berries, this vintage delivers fruit of great freshness, fine structure and remarkable balance.

Grape variety

Muscat de Frontignan (100%).