Klein Constantia : Vin de Constance 2023

## Tasting Notes and Characteristics of the Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2023

Tasting

Nose

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

Palate

The palate reveals itself 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, adding a touch of vanilla and fine spices. The finish, long and fresh, combines richness with restraint.

A sweet white wine from South Africa marked by elegance and balance

The estate

Located in the Western Cape region of South Africa, the Klein Constantia estate boasts a history dating 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. He developed a vast vineyard there. These wines quickly gained international renown, gracing the most illustrious tables. Louis XVI, George Washington, Charles Baudelaire and Napoleon Bonaparte all contributed to the rise in reputation of this great sweet white wine.

Douglas 'Duggie' Jooste, former head of Sedgwick's, a family business specialising in the production of sherry (Jerez), acquired the then-abandoned estate in 1980.

In 2011, Zdenek Bakala, an American banker of Czech origin, and Charles Harman, vice-president of JPMorgan bank, 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, these two co-owners undertook an extensive renovation of the vineyard, with the ambition of establishing the estate among South Africa's most prestigious names.

The vineyard

Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance is a Western Cape wine 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 famous 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, dry summers.

The vintage

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

Grape Variety

Muscat de Frontignan (100%).