Constantia Glen Three 2013
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Pair with: Slow roasted shoulder of lamb with rosemary infused roasted vegetables and tomato jam, on a bed of buttered polenta. Crostini of thinly sliced prosciutto, cream cheese and rocket.
Blend: 59% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc.
Other Vintages
2011-
Robert
Parker
Ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city center, Constantia Glen is a picturesque boutique wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool-climate wines. The 150-acre property, situated at an altitude of 425-885 feet above sea level, has a mere 75-acres under vine, with production of Constantia Glen wines limited to 100,000 bottles per year. The undulating foothills of the Constantiaberg command hand-harvesting practices, underpinning the handcrafted quality of the wines. Cold maritime breezes from the Atlantic, directly off False Bay, regulate the annual average temperature at a mild 61ºF. Dryland cultivation under these cool climatic conditions results in slow ripening, low yields with exceptional grape quality, and flavor concentration. This makes for crisp white wines and fresh, vibrant reds of great elegance and structure, setting the district apart from other South African wine-producing areas.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
One of the most famous and celebrated wine regions imported throughout Europe during the 18th century, Constantia was founded in 1685 by a Dutch governor named Simon van der Stel who ran a successful wine farm for many years.
Constantia vineyards, planted in ancient soil beds, climb up the east-facing slopes of the Constantiaberg, where the vines receive cool sea breezes blowing in from False Bay.