Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Art and South African Fine Wine
Live Virtual Auction, 26 - 28 July 2020
Wine
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Described as one of the world’s most beautiful vineyards, the 146 hectares of Klein Constantia originally formed part of "Constantia", a vast property established in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Cape. This particular valley was chosen not only for its beauty, but also for the decomposed granite soils on its slopes, gently cooled by ocean breezes. The property behind the iconic Vin de Constance has pedigree and provenance that stretches widely beyond sweet wine.
The re-creation of the legendary Constantia wine made in the 18th and 19th centuries, sought after by Napoleon, the aristocracy of Europe, King George IV and King Louis Philippe and praised by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Baudelaire! The property was restored in 1983 and this was the 2nd vintage produced under Ross Gower and the first to ever be commercially released.
1987 is regarded as one of the finest vintages produced in the 80s and 90s. According to current cellar master, Matt Day, the 1987 bottles are bullet proof, and so it seems. All bottles opened for recorking, even poor ullage ones, showing life and structure. Topped up (with the same vintage) and re-corked, sealed and documented at the source for the purpose of this auction, in partnership with Amorim & Klein Constantia.
Critics Ratings
'The first commercially sold vintage of the modern era is superb and rigid. Raisined fruit softness, with salted caramels and coffee. The creamy palate is laced with incredible lasting acidity, culminating in a savoury tail – like a sweet Oloroso.’ – Higgo Jacobs 2020, 96/100
‘1986, limited bottling of unfortified replica of fabled 18th century dessert Constantias of Hendrick Cloete. Made every year at Klein Constantia since 1986 from muscat de frontignan – same clone selection as originally imported from western France by Governor Jan van Riebeeck in 1656. 1987 deeper coloured than 1986, more alcoholic at 15% cf. 14%, more mellifluous, more amply endowed with range of apricot-honey scents. Small barrel-aged, in newer oak than in historic bottlings. In Cloete’s day, stems of bunches twisted when ripe and left to hang on vine, sugar and flavour concentration intensified by evaporation, leading to natural alcohols of up to 17%. Gower gets same result by halving the crop. – Platter’s SA Wine Guide (1992)
‘Wonderfully balanced, with limey freshness, nutty complexity and dabs of tropical fruit. A true legend that is still very much alive today.’ - Roland Peens 96 points (2018)
Provenance
Private Client
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