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Vin De Constance 2019
'Intense, yet scented & naturally expressive.. Persistent finish.. You crave for a second glass if you drink it now'
James Suckling
Vin de Constance is a truly unique and delicious wine which can age for up to twenty years – today we are delighted to offer you the ‘superb’ 2019 vintage.
More famous in the 18th and 19th centuries than Yquem or Tokay, it was recreated by Klein Constantia in the 1980s. The secret to its success is the balance between sweetness and freshness which is down to the cool climate of South Africa’s Cape. Late harvested grapes raisin on the vines – botrytis rarely develops in Muscat de Frontignan thanks to its very thick skins. Each batch of grapes is fermented separately which can take up to a year. In 2019, the components were aged for 18 months in 50% new oak 500L French and Hungarian oak barrels followed by a further 18 months in large foudres before blending.
A cold and wet spring in 2019 affected the flowering which resulted in small berries. Ripening was slower than normal but the vines delivered plenty of fresh acidity. The harvest took place from late February until late March with 26 different passes through the vineyards. The result is an incredibly complex, perfumed wine which is both sweet and fresh with notes of dried citrus fruits and delicate spices with a hint of ginger.
Absolutely delicious on its own and a wonderful accompaniment to desserts such as tarte tatin or strong cheeses, Vin de Constance is a luxury few can resist!
We have a few cases, available on a first come first served basis.
Purchase In Bond (ex duty & VAT)
2019 Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia
£270 per 6 (50cl) bottle case in bond
*Limited magnums on request*
‘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.’ 97 points, Neal Martin
‘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
‘Vin de Constance takes the category of sweet wines to a new level, and this is another stunning success from them. Expect succulent pear, quince, apple, peach pit, tarte tatin, wonderfully seductive and opulent but never taking a single step over the line. Second year on the Place for this iconic wine. Winemaker Matthew Day’ 98 points, Jane Anson – Decanter
Enquire About Availability
To enquire about purchasing, please fill in the Enquiry Form below, contact James Ceppi di Lecco
([email protected]), or call our office at +44 (0) 20 7232 5450