2012 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance (500ml)

Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia has a history dating back over 300 years. In the 18th and 19th centuries “the sweet luscious and excellent wine of Constantia” was recognised as one of the great wines of the world, savoured by royalty and given pride of place in the cellars of the world’s greatest wine collectors. Although production ceased during the mid-to-late 1800s, it was revived in the 1980s during the redevelopment of Klein Constantia Estate. Early records were studied and careful selection made from vines which, in all likelihood, came from the original stock used in Constantia 300 years ago. Vin de Constance is a late-harvest style made from Muscat de Frontignan (aka Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) grapes, without botrytis.

Other Reviews....
The 2012 Vin de Constance is limpid golden in color. It has a pure honeyed bouquet that blossoms in the glass to reveal irresistible scents of apricot, quince, pressed flowers and saffron, gaining intensity with aeration and turning almost overwhelming after several minutes. The palate is beautifully defined with outstanding acidity and energy. This is wonderfully poised, perhaps more so than the 2016 tasted alongside. Tension on the finish coupled with salinity keeps you returning for more. Outstanding.
97 points
Neal Martin - Vinous (Sept 2020)

Dried apricot with some cherry, light caramel and brown sugar. Full-bodied and medium-sweet with phenolic texture. Amazingly deep and layered, showing turkish delight and some toffee, too. Flavorful finish. Sweet and savory at the same time. Even salty. Drink or hold.
97 points
jamessuckling.com

Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, South Africa 2012 Stunningly intense aromatic nose of fresh stem ginger, tangerine and quince. Fabulously balanced sweetness and zingy natural acidity provide the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous flavour spectrum of Seville orange marmalade, honeysuckle and spicy ginger with complex tertiary notes on the effortlessly long finish. The whole ensemble provides enormous precision, purity and pleasure.
97 points
John Stimpfig - Decanter