Strauss & co - 8 June 2019 (Wine)

96 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1987 500ml 1 (1 x 1) R20 000 – 30 000 PROVENANCE Private Client ITEM NOTES The re-creation of the legendary Constantia wine made in the 18th and 19th centuries, sought after by Napoleon, the aristocracy of Europe, King George IV and King Louis Philippe and praised by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Baudelaire! The property was restored in 1983 and this was the 2nd vintage produced under Ross Gower. 1987 is regarded as one of the finest vintages produced in the 80s and 90s and this bottle was recorked by Klein Constantia. ‘Wonderfully balanced, with limey freshness, nutty complexity and dabs of tropical fruit. A true legend.’ Roland Peens 2018, 96 points ‘1986, limited bottling of unfortified replica of fabled 18th century dessert Constantias of Hendrick Cloete. Made every year at Klein Constantia since 1986 frommuscat de frontignan – same clone selection as originally imported fromwestern France by Governor Jan van Riebeeck in 1656. 1987 deeper coloured than 1986, more alcoholic at 15% cf. 14%, more mellifluous, more amply endowed with range of apricot- honey scents. Small barrel-aged, in newer oak than in historic bottlings. In Cloete’s day, stems of bunches twisted when ripe and left to hang on vine, sugar and flavour concentration intensified by evaporation, leading to natural alcohols of up to 17%. Gower gets same result by halving the crop. Platter’s SA Wine Guide 1992