2019 Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia (50cl Gift Pack)
This is a beautifully balanced, harmonious and fresh sweet wine with captivating notes of dried apricot, marmalade, ginger and honey. Velvety smooth with a long vibrant finish, this is the perfect accompaniment to any cheese board. Drinking beautifully now but with decades of pleasure ahead of it. Vin de Constance is a wine legend, rivalling Chateau d’Yquem for quality but at a fraction of the price.
"The 2019 Vin de Constance is matured for 18 months in 500-liter Hungarian and French oak barrels, 50% new, followed by another 18 months in oak foudres. The growing season saw more sunlight hours than previous vintages (2,998 compared to 2,588 in 2018 for example). It has an understated nose, almost Sauternes-like even if it does not contain an ounce of botrytis. Subtle nutty aromas percolate through the wild honey and quince scents, wax resin and lanolin. The palate is medium-bodied and very pure. Disarmingly fine acidity, it is slightly Germanic towards the finish. with a hint of lemongrass lingering on the aftertaste. This is a superb Vin de Constance under the tenure of Matt Day that is a step closer to what you might confusingly call a non-sweet dessert wine." 97/100 Neal Martin, Vinous.com