While at Tazza Kitchen with Will, Edwin, and the Wings. — 10 years ago
2014, Spätlese Trocken, vibrant, fun, balanced, nice variety of flavors — 9 years ago
Pours Jam in color. Aromas of bell pepper and dark berries. Flavors the same along with chocolate. It is a velvety wine no drying tannins. Almost like milk chocolate melting on your tongue. Edwin body long finish — 9 years ago
Very light with a sharp finish. Not too sweet or overly fruity. — 10 years ago
Tastes like cola with herbal tea in a really nice way. Some light fruit a ton of acidity. Was hoping to like it a little more. — 9 years ago
Amazing balance. — 9 years ago
Very nice expression of Viognier.
Clean honey on the nose almost exclusively. Well balanced with nice mouth feel. Actually good with charcuterie — 10 years ago
Wonderfully light and fresh, but still with a good bit of stuffing. I liked how peppery this was, and the fruit was nicely high-toned. — 12 years ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Sorry, short notes on this one. I had to get to Cape Point Vineyards.
This might be their most famous wine. Here is some history of this wine over the centuries. Napoleon Bonaparte had as much as 1,126 liters (297 gallons) of Constantia wine shipped in wooden casks each year to Longwood House, his home in exile on St Helena from 1815 until his death in 1821. The Count de las Cases reported that, on his deathbed, Napoleon refused everything offered to him but a glass of Constantia wine.
In Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen's character Mrs Jennings recommends a little Constantia for "its healing powers on a disappointed heart"
In Charles Dickens' last (and unfinished) novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Constantia wine is served to the reverend Septimus by his mother.
My quick notes. They make several passes through the vineyard waiting for the perfect raisinated grapes. The body is, thick, sticky and sweet. Marmalade, both peach types, apricot, nut skins, dried pineapple, lots of residual sugar, great acidity and a rich, sweet, well balanced polished finish. Not entirely different than Sauternes. Thick D’Yquem of South Africa.
Photos of; the Klien Constantia Estate vines with the mountains painting the background, the door to Duggies Dungeon, horizontal stainless settling tanks and the fruit of this wine in its raisinated picking state. — 6 years ago