2023 Klein Constantia "Vin de Constance" Western Cape (500ml)

Professional Reviews

Notes

Klein Constantia is one of South Africa’s oldest and most historically significant wine estates, founded in 1685 in the Constantia Valley near Cape Town. Its fame is closely tied to Vin de Constance, a naturally sweet dessert wine that became world-renowned in the 18th and 19th centuries, enjoyed by European royalty and figures like Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile. The estate declined in the late 1800s due to phylloxera and changing economic conditions, but it was revitalized in the late 20th century with a renewed focus on quality and historical authenticity. Vin de Constance is made primarily from Muscat de Frontignan grapes (also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains). To produce it, grapes are harvested at varying ripeness levels, with some left to partially raisin on the vine, concentrating their sugars and flavors. After careful hand-sorting, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented slowly, stopping naturally due to the high sugar content. The wine is then aged for several years in a combination of French oak barrels, large foudres, and stainless steel to develop complexity. The result is a rich, golden wine with notes of apricot, honey, citrus peel, and spice, balanced by bright acidity. Today, Vin de Constance remains a flagship wine of Klein Constantia and a symbol of South Africa’s winemaking heritage.