Producer | Klein Constantia |
Country | South Africa |
Region | Constantia |
Varietal | Muscat |
Vintage | 2016 |
Sku | SAF-DES3 |
Size | 500ml |
"This is only the second vintage of this unique nectar that we have experienced, the first being the absolutely spellbinding 2012 release, and the wine is an 'experience wine' with a lot of history - in fact, 320 years of history, as the wine began in 1685, and became a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Victoria, and Thomas Jefferson and thus the legend was born. But more importantly, what you should know about this wine in the glass is that this is a profound sweet wine that is more about freshness and refinement thanks to its proximity to the sea and granite soils. This wine that clocks in at just 14% alcohol and is not cloying or heavy. The Muscat provides lift and a stunning bouquet of flowers that transcends to the palate. There are incredible citrus nuances from orange blossoms, dried apricots, and lemon zest to lemon wafers, all complemented with some brown spices. With aeration the wine does gain in texture, but always remains light on its feet. This wine makes you stop and
Like Chateau d'Yquem, this is one of the true great sweet wines of the world. In fact, in the early nineteenth century, this icon from the historic Constantia Valley was as revered as Bordeaux's First Growths. While the wine and estate fell under the radar for several decades, it has, under the leadership and winemaking of Adam Mason, become one of the most highly coveted wines on the planet. Italian Wine Merchants had the chance to taste this release this week and can truly understand Neal Martin's words a few years back, when he said, "It is easy to see why this elixir was so coveted 200 years ago."
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