Klein Constantia

Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Muscat à Petits Grains 2015

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

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