Forgive me for not color coordinating correctly (say those last three words quickly ten times - ha) but that is what happens when two great friends get together for a dinner with wives to celebrate birthdays and we are left to our own decisions so our wives are definitely needed to dress us - man is that picture busy except for the wine
Rick brought a treat - 2007 treat - we only decanted for 40 minutes - when first opening I was worried - it was lacking any smell but it was a terrible restaurant decanter (love the food and atmosphere but not a wine heavy place)
We drank (more line devoured) the first wine (Dyer) while patiently waiting for this bad boy to wake up- when it did - wow 😲- I had a @David L expression experience happen - “I don’t like - I LOVE IT”
So the wine and this vintage and this bottle for me was opulent and silky - it opened so progressively in the glass - like a Lexus LC 500 speed demon (sorry but I do have some preoccupation with this car) - color was a daaaaaark deeeeep puuuuurple (deep purple was a great band but I degress) - smell was full of vanilla and spices and amazingly was very ripe and was made in a flamboyant cult style - It soaked my mouth with melted blackberries, cherries, raspberries, cocoa and sweet oaky favors - the rush from the taste came from the silky tannins which were rich and refined - now it was also really dry - but overall I am totally impressed and the finish was medium long
Word to the wise - in my humble opinion this bad boy needs to be experienced sooner than later - still ripe but the smell is going fast - crazy to say this but the 06s have years left but my 07s are fully matured - Drink up and definitely smile . — 6 years ago
A Swiss descendant of the gamay, sharing with it the gouleyant character. For the rest: dark ruby color, (half dyer grape variety) a certain clarity with brilliance. Nose between black and red fruits, roasted liquorice notes almost coffee. Beautiful rather fine bouquet with vegetable notes zest of citrus, all in finesse. Beautiful vinification and fresh finish, for a wine to drink on youth.
Un descendant suisse du gamay, partageant avec celui-ci le caractère gouleyant. Pour le reste: robe rubis sombre, (cépage demi teinturier) une certaine limpidité avec de l’éclat. Nez entre fruits noirs et fruits rouges, notes réglissées torréfiées quasi café. Beau bouquet assez fin aux notes végétales zeste d’agrume, tout en finesse. Belle vinification et finale fraîche, pour un vin à boire sur la jeunesse. — 2 years ago
Thanksgiving wine number 3. The first wine of the meal, decanted about 3 hours ahead of time. This is a blackberry and black licorice monster, with hints of blueberry and pie spice. Even despite decanting, the amount of tannin here is incredible. Young oak tannicity is very present on this wine. Turns dark and smoky to the middle and finish. Full bodied and definitely complemented a majority of foods here. But.... along comes Dyer to steal the show. I believe this wine will be a lot better in about five years. But, still not a bad showing whatsoever with a solid 94 presentation today. — 5 years ago
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. — 5 years ago
Nate Miersma
Ben Davis’ house — 9 months ago