Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1996

Category:
 
Sweet Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Muscat
Producer:
 
Klein Constantia
Label Name:
 
Vin de Constance
Vintage:
 
1996
Country:
 
South Africa
Region:
 
Constantia, Cape Town (Western Cape)
Volume:
 
500ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
5
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
10-12°C

Awards/Ratings
Notable scores for the 1996: Wine Advocate (Neal Martin) 94/100; Wine Spectator 92/100. Vin de Constance consistently scores 90+ and is a highly awarded, collectible dessert wine

Tasting Note
Lucid amber; aromas of orange marmalade, quince, dried apricot, honey and sandalwood, with hints of seaweed and frangipane. Palate shows mandarin, orange rind, ginger and bright acidity balancing lush sweetness; long incense‑tinged finish.

Food Pairing
Western: foie gras, blue cheese (Roquefort), fruit tarts, crème brûlée; Asian: Peking duck, Cantonese roast pork, Thai coconut curry, spicy Sichuan dishes, or richer dim-sum with sweet-savory sauces.

Production Method
Hand‑harvested in numerous passes; batches vinified separately with skin contact. Fermentation is allowed to stop naturally leaving high residual sugar. Aged ~18 months in 500L oak (≈50% new) then further maturation in large oak foudres before blending and bottling.

Vineyard Info
Klein Constantia, founded in 1685 and revived by the Jooste family from 1980, produces the historic Vin de Constance from Muscat de Frontignan, combining Constantia’s cool maritime vineyards with traditional, low‑yield winemaking.