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!
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'This has a gorgeous, clear maple color, with delightful date, golden raisin, dried quince, fig and bitter orange notes laced with hints of Meyer lemon and persimmon. There's nice taut focus on the finish, with a hint of chamomile flower lingering at the end.--Non-blind Vin de Constance vertical (2010).' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (2010)
'93 in squat 500ml bottle moulded on the legendary 18th Century shapes; deeper gold-tinted than some previous, it has the clear-flavoured, ripe sunshine intensity of delicate Muscat. But without botrytis. Constance might not overpower, but it has its own riveting, complex minty/eucalyptus, sweet lemon-honey impact, with an obvious but more restrained than usual Muscat topping. French tourists who know their history arrive at the cellar asking for 'Le Vin de Napoleon'. It's the most quickly sold out, severely allocated Klein Constantia label.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 1998, Superior Cape Wine
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