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About

The perfect location for cool climate wines, Klein Constantia produces some of South Africa’s top wines. The vineyard is also known to be one of the world’s 50 most beautiful vineyards year-over-year.

Terroir

Facing mostly south to east, and reaching up from 70 to 343 metres above sea level, our higher slopes are some of the coldest in the Cape, thanks to fewer sunlight hours and a constant breeze off the ocean, just 10 kilometres away.Our soils originate from granite formed up to 600 million years ago and can be divided mainly between deep fertile Oakleaf on the lower slopes and drier Glenrosa with a saprolite subsoil higher up. This well-drained, fertile, decomposed granite with high clay content ensures good water retention during the long, dry summers of the Cape, when enough water slowly drains back into the vineyards to ensure an effective leaf canopy and proper ripening of the fruit.

Vinification

Each parcel is carefully identified and blocks are split into multiple portions in order to harvest at the perfect ripeness. The grapes are then bunch and berry sorted to ensure that only the healthiest berries are selected. Malo-lactic fermentation takes place in 40 % new French oak barrels after alcoholic fermentation. The wine is then aged for 15 months before blending and bottling.

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red in appearance. Rich dark red fruit dominate the nose followed by aromas of black cherries and wood spice. On the palate, finely grained tannins are subtly integrated with delicate oak flavours. Elegant and refined with a savoury finish showcasing that typical cool climate Constantia style.

Food Pairing

Pairs well with barbecued grilled chicken, beef cut with mushrooms and aperitif.

Appellation

Constantia

Winemaker

Matthew Day

Grape Varieties

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Malbec & 3% Petit Verdot

Sizes Available

750 ML

Awards & Recognition

92 points
Vinous

The 2023 Red Estate contains a little more Cabernet Sauvignon this year. This has an open-knit bouquet with pretty red cherries and wild strawberry fruit that is much more elegant than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well balanced with a graphite-infused finish. Doppelgänger for a Left Bank Bordeaux.

91 points
Wine Advocate

The Klein Constantia 2023 Constantia Estate Red is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot and 9% Shiraz. Planted at the bottom parts of the estate at approximately 70 meters above sea level, Cabernet Sauvignon vines were established in 2000, while the Shiraz is just six years old. With a production of 10,000 bottles, the wine shows sweet fruit and a distinct mineral edge that makes it an especially enjoyable, approachable bottle. The Petit Verdot brings a slightly chalky, saline character.

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Tasting The Estate Red with the Winemaker

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