05 Sep 2023

With a history stretching back to 1685, each new vintage release of Vin de Constance is something of event.  Established just two decades after Pepys first recorded the name Haut-Brion in his diary, and a century and a half before sweet Sauternes was developed, this is one of the most fabled wines, name-checked by Austen and Dickens and enjoyed by Napoleon (who had it shipped to him in exile on St Helena). 

For decades, Vin de Constance vied with Tokaji Eszencia, until phylloxera hit South Africa in the 1870s, wiping out the vines.  The estate was restored in the 1980s, with new vintages bottled in a glass flask modelled on the handblown bottles of the late 18th and early 19th century. 

With no botrytis here, the style of Vin de Constance is derived from the climate, terroir and winemaking.  Planted overlooking False Bay, the Muscat de Frontignan grapes benefit from cooling sea breezes and are harvested over the space of several weeks, with early-picked fruit contributing fresh acidity and later-harvested grapes giving unique raisined character (some bunches are twisted on the vines to aid this).  

This latest release, the 2020 vintage, scores 96 points from Georgina Hindle writing for Decanter Magazine, who finds in it..."sweetness (butterscotch, thick creamy lemon and apricot yoghurt and hints of honey)...countered by a delicious citrus zestiness and bitter orange touches." ...

Availability is extremely limited, so please let us know straight away if you would like to order.

Offered en primeur, available spring 2024.