2014 Vin de Constance

Deep gold. Cooked tangerine, apricot, vanilla and clove, with delightful aromatic intensity. Integrated and whole. Rich and sweet, with cleansing acidity that cuts through the dried apricot, cinnamon and cream palate. Really long. (TJ)

We finish with the 2014 Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia, which shows identically to the bottle tasted in the Cape earlier this year. The bouquet bursts from the glass with marmalade, honeysuckle, orange rind and tropical fruit, all beautifully defined, if perhaps just a little waxier than I recall. The lively, viscous palate presents layers of fresh apricot, honey and orange zest, leading to a precise, vibrant finish. I love the chutzpah of this Vin de Constance, and though it will age, I do not begrudge anyone drinking it now.

The 2014 Vin de Constance was assembled from 15 lots and matured in 33% new French oak, 5% Hungarian oak and 2% acacia for three years, the first vintage to use the new fermentation tanks in the renovated winery. It has 172gm/L residual sugar and a very attractive bouquet (as always) of honeysuckle, orange pith, marmalade and pineapple. The palate is vivacious on the entry, offering orange zest, mandarin, apricot and light spicy notes. This feels very harmonious and precise, and there is almost a fieriness toward the finish. Another in a succession of fabulous Vin de Constance wines under wünderkind Matt Day.