Vin de Constance, Klein Constantia 2011

“The 2011 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine spent 36 months in 60% new French and Hungarian oak. It delivers 152 grams per liter residual sugar with a pH of 3.6. Here it is very perfumed with a dried honey, lanolin, marmalade and melted wax-scented bouquet that is nicely defined. The palate is viscous on the entry with fine acidity, quite sensual in the mouth with orange zest and marmalade notes, almost Barsac-like towards the finish that lingers long in the mouth. Gorgeous (as per usual).

A deep, bright golden colour with thick, viscous legs clinging to the glass. A huge, intense nose of orange marmalade and freshly-squeezed lemon. Lots of honey and ripe fruit but with a beguiling minerality and laser-like precision. A highly complex and alluring bouquet which just keeps giving. Fat and thickly textured, very sweet and unctuous. Mouth-filling with wonderful candied fruits, honey and lemon. So rich and concentrated and yet with a super clean, fresh acidity cutting through the centre and lending wonderful poise, balance and definition. There is an attractive herbal spiciness too, adding complexity. This is truly wonderful stuff with a stunning finish and an after taste which goes on and on. A sure successor to the great 2007 vintage.