Vin de Constance 2016

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

'Mid-deep gold. Luscious nose of dried apricots, marmalade and cinnamon, in a rich, bold style. The palate offers more elegance, with floral notes, and a core of acidity that freshens and elevates it. Long, with a touch of citrus-rind bitterness at the finish. A comparatively 'big', bumptious, forward Vin de Constance.' - Tim Jackson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Nov 2021)

'Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 2015 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure. Fresh, balanced and floral, with incredible delicacy, racy acidity, fine oak and flavours of pear tart, crystallised lemons and orange zest. 2019-35.' - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 98/100

'Strikingly pure, fresh and youthful, this is almost like an 'essence of Muscat'. Hints of elderflower and subtle spices on the nose are complemented by a licquorous palate with zesty citrus peel and honey, balanced by crisp acidity. 2016 was a very early vintage due, in part, to El Nino but the dry, warm season was mitigated in Constantia by prevailing cool sea-breezes, and cool night-time temperatures. This really needs 2-3 years to bring out the complex flavours which will make this a memorable sweet wine for many decades.' - Andy Howard MW, 97/100 (Mar 2020)