Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2009

Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance, a dessert wine, is one of South Africa’s historic labels; its history stretches back 300 years. It’s produced from Muscat de Frontignan grapes, harvested late after they have shriveled on the vine to concentrate sugar content. Zdenĕk Bakala and Charles Harman purchased Klein Constantia in 2011, investing to modernize the vineyards and winery. The 2009 was vinified by Adam Mason (now with Mulderbosch), then bottled by current winemaker Matt Day, who arrived with the new ownership. It is the first South African wine to make Wine Spectator’s Top 10.

Tasting Note

Rich and unctuous, yet superbly racy, this offers a gorgeous panoply of dried apricot, fig, mango and quince flavors, underscored by a lively blood orange note and backed by a long, ginger- and green tea–filled finish. Youthfully tight, this should cruise for some time in the cellar. Muscat de Frontignan. Best from 2016 through 2030.—James Molesworth