Winemaker Notes
Intense ruby red in appearance. It opens with a refined bouquet of black cherry, plum, and sandalwood, accented by tomato leaf and a delicate mineral nuance of slate & graphite. On the palate, vibrant red fruit and gentle spice are balanced by silky tannins, culminating in a smooth mocha finish.
Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Petit Verdot, 8% Shiraz, 1% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Red Blend Estate contains a little more Cabernet Sauvignon this year. This has an open-knit bouquet with pretty red cherries and wild strawberry fruit that is much more elegant than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well balanced with a graphite-infused finish. Doppelgänger for a Left Bank Bordeaux.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Klein Constantia 2023 Constantia Estate Red is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot and 9% Shiraz. Planted at the bottom parts of the estate at approximately 70 meters above sea level, Cabernet Sauvignon vines were established in 2000, while the Shiraz is just six years old. With a production of 10,000 bottles, the wine shows sweet fruit and a distinct mineral edge that makes it an especially enjoyable, approachable bottle. The Petit Verdot brings a slightly chalky, saline character.
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.