Constantia Glen Two 2016
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Robert
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This wine is strikingly clear with an intriguing pale gold color tinged with lime green. Restrained and elegant with delicate aromas of grapefruit, green fig and orange blossom, the floral perfume delineating towards elderflower and herbs. The wine is tight in its youth, but shows absolute fruit purity and zest, which with time will integrate and develop into a charmingly refined wine. This vintage of the Constantia Glen TWO shows incredible intensity, fruit concentration and depth, but remains poised and elegant. The wine has a bright acidity that is perfectly balanced a mouth-coating texture on the palate, brought about by maturation in 600 litre barrels. The 30% Sémillon adds weight and richness to balance the fresh natural acidity of the Sauvignon blanc making this a truly harmonious blend with an intriguing saline quality that lingers well onto your next sip. This classic Constantia White will further develop in the bottle and gain even more complexity with maturation for up to 10 years under ideal cellaring conditions.
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Wine Spectator
Focused, with a mix of white peach, lemon peel and gooseberry notes, melding with macadamia nut and shortbread accents, giving this lovely range and contrast. Should age nicely. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2020.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, the 2016 Two is named for the two varieties that compose the blend. It opens with oak tones of vanilla, caramel and crème brûlée over tropical fruit notes of grilled pineapple and poundcake that float out of the glass. Full-bodied, the wine has a delightful depth to the palate, which shows a rich style of Sauvignon Blanc that is compounded by the elegance and roundness of Sémillon, combining to connect flavors of lemon and cream soda. The wine concludes with a long, winding finish that begs me back for more. Well done! Rating: 91+
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2015-
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Robert
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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.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
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.