Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia 2023

As ever, this is just pure pleasure, and full of grace, apricot puree, intense and concentrated, with the most beautiful balance of citrus, grilled pineapple, truffle, fennel, uplift and joy. Matthew Day winemaker, 90ha estate, 18 months in 50% new 500L Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by 16 months in large oak casks, 162g/l residual sugar.

Concentrated aromas of dried apricots, pineapple, caramel and honey. It’s full-bodied with a dense, intense finish, showing spices, limes, dried fruit and some toffee. Very sweet but balanced and fresh. A triumph for this South African estate. One of the best ever. Drink or hold.

The wet 2023 vintage in Constantia resulted in 10% botrytis, the highest proportion since 1997, giving the resulting wine a slightly more exotic feel. Macerated on skins for two weeks before fermentation, followed by ageing in 50% new Austrian, French and Hungarian oak, it has layers of guava, peach and tarte tatin, 162 grams of residual sugar, a plush, ample palate and enough acidity to lift and freshen the finish. Broader than the 2022. 2027-40