2013 Vin de Constance Blanc
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Tasting notes
(13.5% alcohol; 152.3 g/l r.s.): Bright light-medium gold. High-toned scents of orange marmalade, dried apricot, piercing herbs, spices, honey and marzipan. Viscous and thick (my fingers are sticking to my keyboard), with just enough acidity to maintain its shape and energy. Supersweet dried apricot and honey flavors dominate. Finishes with a bittersweet citrus edge, a suggestion of golden raisin and palate-staining length. Wonderfully concentrated, silky wine with energy.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine was matured in 500-liter barrels for around 36 months. It has a beautiful bouquet with honey, quince, pressed yellow flowers and Mirabelle. It has wonderful definition and purity. The palate is very well balanced with a mellifluous texture and beautifully judged acidity as it just sashays along. It fans out on the finish with honey, quince, a touch of rhubarb and ginger, extraordinarily persistent in the mouth. Matthew Day, current winemaker, opined that he thought the 2012 would be the best ever, but the freshness might see it overtaken. This is awesome.
About the producer
Based in Constantia, a short drive from the suburbs of Cape Town, Klein Constantia produces some of South Africa’s finest wines, including its iconic sweet wine, Vin de Constance.