The 2021 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance is a striking South African sweet wine, shimmering pale gold with a perfumed nose of apricot, sandalwood spice, and Seville marmalade.
On the palate, notes of nutmeg, citrus zest, jasmine, and rosewater unfold with creamy richness and vibrant acidity. A hint of wood spice adds complexity, while a delicate balance of sweetness and salinity gives this vintage a refined, drier style. Concentrated yet fresh, it finishes long and pithy, offering a bold new expression of one of the world’s most iconic dessert wines.
On the palate, notes of nutmeg, citrus zest, jasmine, and rosewater unfold with creamy richness and vibrant acidity. A hint of wood spice adds complexity, while a delicate balance of sweetness and salinity gives this vintage a refined, drier style. Concentrated yet fresh, it finishes long and pithy, offering a bold new expression of one of the world’s most iconic dessert wines.
The 2021 harvest season was marked by patience and precision. Moderate weather during this period resulted in a later harvest than usual, characterized by cooler conditions, extended hang time, and optimal phenological ripening. These factors contributed to the development of exceptional fruit concentration, lower pH levels, and higher natural acidity.
Despite the harvest being up to two weeks later than in previous years, the absence of rainfall or heatwaves allowed our harvest to span just three weeks. The post-harvest conditions of 2020 set the stage for an exceptional 2021 season.
Warm weather and ample rainfall delayed leaf fall, allowing the vines to build up sufficient reserves for dormancy. This was followed by a colder, wetter winter that extended into spring, creating ideal conditions for the growth season.
During the cooler and less sporadic 2021 season, we began harvesting the earlier-ripening components on March 9th. Over the following three weeks, we picked 25 different batches, ranging from lower sugar, and high acidity components to much sweeter, more concentrated final picks on March 30th.
Each batch was processed separately, with most receiving only two weeks of skin contact before pressing. At this point, we blend various components to achieve the optimal balance of sugar, acidity, and alcohol, allowing fermentation to stop naturally. The wine was then aged for 18 months in 50% new 500L Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by an additional 16 months in a large format wooden foudre.
Despite the harvest being up to two weeks later than in previous years, the absence of rainfall or heatwaves allowed our harvest to span just three weeks. The post-harvest conditions of 2020 set the stage for an exceptional 2021 season.
Warm weather and ample rainfall delayed leaf fall, allowing the vines to build up sufficient reserves for dormancy. This was followed by a colder, wetter winter that extended into spring, creating ideal conditions for the growth season.
During the cooler and less sporadic 2021 season, we began harvesting the earlier-ripening components on March 9th. Over the following three weeks, we picked 25 different batches, ranging from lower sugar, and high acidity components to much sweeter, more concentrated final picks on March 30th.
Each batch was processed separately, with most receiving only two weeks of skin contact before pressing. At this point, we blend various components to achieve the optimal balance of sugar, acidity, and alcohol, allowing fermentation to stop naturally. The wine was then aged for 18 months in 50% new 500L Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by an additional 16 months in a large format wooden foudre.
Klein Constantia is a historic South African winery set on the cool, sea-breezed slopes of Constantia. Founded in 1685, the estate is famed for reviving the legendary Vin de Constance, once favored by kings and poets alike. Under the thoughtful guidance of winemaker Matthew Day, Klein Constantia continues to produce elegant, expressive wines that honor centuries of heritage and the unique terroir of this remarkable place.
