Winemaker Notes
Intense ruby red in appearance. The nose offers aromas of cassis with subtle herbaceous and floral undertones. The palate is refined, rich and balanced with bold tannins and an elegant backbone. Flavors of blackberries and cigar box follow concluding with a long savory finish.
Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 13% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Klein Constantia also makes a bit of red wine, which represents 10% of their entire production. The 2021 Constantia Valley Estate Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah. It is aged in oak for 12 months, with 40% new oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon component shines brightest with dark fruit and plum, and you get some dusty mineral and soft oak spice. The season is too hot and too short for Merlot, but this estate is doing promising work with these varieties.
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.