| |
|
| Vintage |
1999 |
|
| General |
These
historic vineyards were first planted in the late 1600s
as part of the original Constantia estate, whose legendary
sweet wines were celebrated in literature by Jane Austen,
Charles Dickens and Baudelaire. It was sought after by
Napoleon, in his exile, and by the courts of Europe in
the 18th and 19th century. Chosen for its soil of decomposed
Table Mountain granite, and its cooling sea breezes from
both the Atlantic and Indian oceans, these vineyards provide
the perfect terroir for premium winegrowing. |
|
| Description |
Deep,
orange-gold in colour, with marked viscosity. Intense
and complex nose of dried apricot and peaches. Luscious,
concentrated, sweet fruit flavours on the palate are balanced
by fine acidity, and followed by a very long, flavourful
finish. |
|
| Grape Variety |
Muscat
de Frontignan (muscat blanc á petits grains) |
|
| Wine Record |
Grapes
were left to raisin on the vines, and were hand-selected
towards mid- March of this moderate vintage. Fermentation
of the sweet, concentrated must took place in temperature-controlled
stainless steel tanks, followed by 18 months of maturation
in French oak. The wine was released almost 5 years after
harvest. |
|
| Alcohol |
14.65% |
|
| Residual Sugar |
186g/l |
|
| pH |
3.69 |
|
| Total Acid |
8.5
g/l |
|
| Maturation |
Drink
now or cellar long-term (15-20 years)
|
|
| Honours |
Wine
Spectator 92 points
"Viscous but lively in texture, this has layers of orange
peel, maple, crème brûlée, green tea
and quince paste flavours that stay tightly knit through
the lengthy finish. An excellent dessert wine that is
quietly putting together an enviable track record. Muscat
de Frontignan. Drink now through 2015. 1,500 cases made."
The World of Fine Wine, Issue 3, 2004
"Gorgeous amber gold colour. Very
pronounced nose of marmalade, honey and quince with
a slightly spirity undertone. Extraordinarily unctuous
and rich texture, like melted honey. Balanced and smooth,
with very good length. An amazing wine. 17.5 points
out of 20"
Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, April 2005
"Medium gold. Aromas of orange liqueur, clove and honey,
with a whiff of sultana raisin. Very sweet and very spicy,
with vibrant acidity giving the wine shape and grip. Impressively
long, brisk, palate-staining finish. Exhilarating sweet
wine. 93/100"
Karen Hutchinson, USA
"The most amazing deep amber liquid filled with warm golden
sun and the essence of grape perfection swirled and sloshed
gently around my mouth; in, around and under my tongue.
With utter abandon at a table of 10, I closed my eyes
to the noise and chit chat and let this most incredible
gift envelope me in it's sweet, aromatic waters with it's
overtones of perfect love. I wondered at the rough hands,
the dexterous hands, the technical hands, the picking
hands, the sorting hands, the packing hands, the gentle
hands, the vintners hands, ALL the hands that bred this
most memorable happy liquid. It was paired softly, compatibly
with a baked pear crisp with cream and decorated with
one exquisite fragrant mint leaf."
Classic Wine Trophy in 2004 at the Classic Wine Trophy
Show. |
|
|
|
