2016 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2016 1500mL

98 POINTS

Tim Atkin MW

"Best sweet wine of the year" Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 205 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure. Fresh, balanced and floral, with incredible delicacy, racy acidity, fine oak and flavours of pear tart, crystallised lemons and orange zest. 2019-35 KLEIN CONSTANTIA RETAINS IT’S FIRST GROWTH STATUS & IS THE ONLY FIRST GROWTH FROM THE CONSTANTIA VALLEY. VOTED ‘BEST SWEET WINE OF THE YEAR’ 3 TIMES. VOTED ‘BEST YOUNG WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR’ IN 2016. THE SECOND TIME TO SCORE 98 POINTS.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Vin de Constance is matured in 50% French acacia oak, Hungarian oak and regular French oak, and 50% in French foudres . This has more delineation and precision on the nose compared to the previous vintage, offering acacia honey, quince, saffron and touches of elderflower in the background. The palate is very well balanced with fine precision, a killer line of acidity and disarming purity toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. Stunning.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Vin de Constance contains 165g/L residual sugar and has a pH of 3.73. It is slightly paler in color compared to other recent vintages. The well-defined bouquet offers scents of wild honey, acacia and orange blossom, all quite airy and focused – not what you would call a heavyweight nose. On the palate, laser-like acidity cuts through the viscous fruit, and notes of saffron and allspice furnish the honeyed texture. There is immense precision on the finish. Superb.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Vin de Constance contains 165g/L of residual sugar. This has a wonderful bouquet with layers of wild honey and acacia, little-changed since I last encountered it a couple of years back. The palate is concentrated, multi-faceted yet primal at the moment. I suspect this vintage is maturing at a glacial pace, but I cannot wait to taste this at 12-15 years of age. Outstanding.

97 POINTS

Andy Howard MW - Decanter

Strikingly pure, fresh and youthful, this is almost like an 'essence of Muscat'. Hints of elderflower and subtle spices on the nose are complemented by a licquorous palate with zesty citrus peel and honey, balanced by crisp acidity. 2016 was a very early vintage due, in part, to El Nino but the dry, warm season was mitigated in Constantia by prevailing cool sea-breezes, and cool night-time temperatures. This really needs 2-3 years to bring out the complex flavours which will make this a memorable sweet wine for many decades.

97 POINTS

2020 - Decanter World Wine Awards

Classical Muscat which shines through with all the Constantia heritage. Super pure, sleek and precise. Honeysuckle aromas, crystallised orange zest, quince with a pronounced floral marigold. Cleansing acidity to lift the complex finish. Award: Platinum - DWWA 2020

Tom Parker MW - JancisRobinson.com

Sweet and fragrant on the nose. Layers of honey, acacia, sultana and earthy spices. The palate is sweet but not remotely cloying, with bright acidity and great intensity of fruit and marmalade. Harmonious and intense, with superb purity and vibrancy. Mellow raisined notes are lifted by floral orange blossom, cinnamon and sweet vanilla spice. Unerring and long on the finish, superb! 18/20

Jancis Robinson

Strong marmalade and candied lime-peel nose with something floral – not the nobility of a botrytised wine. But then sweet and a little smoky. Certainly very sweet, arguably a tad too sweet, and a bit chewy on the end. I look forward to reading Malu Lambert’s account of a vertical tasting of this wine. 16/20