Sweets & Fortifieds and Additional Finds
Timed Online Auction, 28 May - 10 June 2024
Sweets
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 1998 is a superb vintage with US Wine Spectator awarding it 93 points, one of the highest international scores for any SA wine at the time.
The 1999 vintage have a history of awards, including; 92 points from Wine Spectator, featuring in the World of Fine Wine in 2004 and trophy at the Classic Wine Trophy Show in 2004.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
1998
‘This dessert wine is loaded from the get-go, with mango, blood orange, smoke, persimmon, ginger, date and fig flavors, all on a burnished texture supported by well-imbedded acidity. Superlong finish. Gorgeous. Late harvest Muscat de Frontignan. Drink now through 2010. 1,049 cases made.’ – Wine Spectator, 93/100 (2003)
'Vanilla pod, mixed peel, spiced oranges, cloves, raisins, thick and gloopy but with a whistlingly fresh finish from the acidity that keeps magnificent balance. The orange character is really pure on the palate, like tangerine slices – tangy and freshly-peeled.’ – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com 17.5/20 (2009)
1999
‘Confirming anew the international status its ancestor enjoyed 2 centuries back, & fortunately soon in greater quantities as new plantings of Muscat de F come into production. Frequent (5*) over the yrs. Usually no botrytis, just healthy ripeness taken to a superb extreme, to give a silkily textured wine, with fine mineral acidity. Raisiny luxuriance of 99 also evokes dried apricot, marmalade, shot through with thrilling acid; fine lingering farewell. 14.5%; 183g/L sugar.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2005, 4.5*
'Viscous but lively in texture, this has layers of orange peel, maple, crème brûlée, green tea and quince paste flavors that stay tightly knit through the lengthy finish. An excellent dessert wine that is quietly putting together an enviable track record. Muscat de Frontignan. Drink now through 2015.' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Nov 2004)
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