Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia 2008

The 2008 Vin de Constance is the latest release from the estate. "We were happy with the 2008," Matthew told me. "But it was tough to follow-up a great vintage. It spent a slightly shorter time in barrel and has 160g/L residual sugar with a pH of 3.6. It had the lowest volatile acidity in a Vin de Constance in a long time. To me the 2008 is more toward the older style of Vin de Constance." It already offers a very complex bouquet with fresh pineapple, quince, Japanese yuzu, just a hint of grass clippings and then later mille fieulle. It is obviously tightly wound at the moment, but extremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine viscous entry that immediately comes across as very elegant and refined. It feel smooth and pure - gentle in the mouth, caressing the senses with its quince and marmalade tinged finish with a suggestions of shaved ginger on the aftertaste. Returning after 40 minutes, the finish has mellowed and attained a beguiling effervescent quality, almost like an unctuous Lucozade! Wonderful.

Plumper again, rounder, with some nicely bitter, black chocolate notes and flavours of mint, pears, marmalade, honey and sweet spices, very complex, with a tight, deep structure and that taut, tense acidity running through it, as ever. There's such a strong family resemblance in these wines. Beautiful balance; perfect poise and elegance.