03/09/2026 - 100-point Vin de Constance 2023 - "just pure pleasure, and full of grace" (JA)

I am delighted to offer the latest release of one of the world's greatest late harvest wines, Klein Constantia's 100-point-scoring Vin de Constance 2023 - a wine that can match Chateau d'Yquem in quality, yet still available for under £50 a bottle in bond!

From vineyards planted in 1685 by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Cape, Constantia was savoured in the 18th and 19th centuries by those who would drink only the best, from Napoleon Bonaparte to British monarchs King George IV and Queen Victoria.

“Constantia was bought by European courts in the 18th and 19th Centuries in preference to Yquem, Tokay, Madeira…” Hugh Johnson

When the Jooste family purchased Klein Constantia in 1980 with the intention of making world-class wines from virus-free vineyards, they resolved to recreate this one truly, historically, great wine of the southern hemisphere. Early records were studied and careful selection made of a Muscat de Frontignan clone believed to have come from the original stock planted by the Cape’s first commander, Jan van Riebeeck, in the 1650s.

The maiden Vin de Constance 1986 was launched in 1990 to instant acclaim, and international accolades have followed for every vintage since then – especially since Klein Constantia’s acquisition by Zdenĕk Bakala and Charles Harman in 2011, with celebrated Bordeaux wine experts Bruno Prats (formerly of Chateau Cos d'Estournel) and Hubert de Boüard (Chateau Angelus) coming on board as shareholders in 2012, reaffirming this unique natural sweet wine’s place on the world stage.

The Muscat de Frontignan vines grow on the lower slopes in soils derived from decomposed granite that formed 500 to 600 million years ago, with a constant cool breeze off the ocean only 10 km away.
 
In the dedicated Vin de Constance cellar, berries and raisins are sorted by hand, with each batch kept separate and treated differently.  Each batch has a precise purpose, with meticulous blending taking place at various stages of the winemaking process to achieve the perfect balance that ultimately defines the genuine Vin de Constance.

"As for the prices for Vin de Constance, well, if I happen to taste better value for money than recent vintages I will let you know - but don’t hang around waiting. I mean, under $50 for a meticulously crafted, profound, rare and utterly delicious world class wine? What are you waiting for?” - Neal Martin

Vin de Constance 2023, Klein Constantia, 6x500ml - £290 IB

Vin de Constance 2023, Klein Constantia, 3x1500ml - £470 IB

The 2023 vintage stood out for its unique DNA of balance and precision, shaped by a cool, slow ripening season and an extended harvest window. A warm, dry winter that led to early budbreak and strong initial growth, followed by steady canopy development and slightly uneven flowering, naturally regulating yields. Cooler summer conditions slowed ripening and preserved vibrant acidity, while late season rains added both pressure and opportunity, requiring highly precise vineyard selection. Despite lower yields and smaller berries, the vintage deliver fruit of excellent concentration, freshness and structural balance.

The 2023 harvest was one of the latest and most extended in recent years, with picking carried out from 14 February to 18 April, over to close to 25 passes through the vineyards. The fruits were selected at different stages of ripeness, from fresh ripe berries to naturally raisined grapes, ensuring a layered and complex final blend.

In the cellar, grapes underwent two weeks of skin contact before pressing, followed by slow fermentation over approximately two months, which stopped naturally to preserve balance and purity.

Each component was vinified separately with continuous blending trials to achieve the unique dna of this vintage. The wine was matured for 18 months in 500L barrels (50% new) of French, Austrian and Hungarian oak, followed by a futher year in 4,200L French oak foudres. This dual ageing approach enhanced both structure and refinement, allowing the components to integrate while maintaining freshness and vibrancy. Only the finest elements were selected for the final blend, reflecting the vintage’s precision and layered character.

The 2023 Vin de Constance offers aromas of lime zest, marmalade, butterscotch, and baked cheesecake, layered with fig preserve, apricot, and quince. On the palate, a slightly lower sugar level brings freshness and balance, while subtle vanilla and oak spice add elegance. The long, poised finish lingers with richness, vibrancy, and delicate spice.