Constantia Glen, the magnificently appointed boutique wine estate known for exceptional cool climate reds, has released the much lauded and long awaited 2008 vintage of Constantia Glen Five, an elegant expression of five Bordeaux varieties grown on the upper reaches of the Constantiaberg.
Constantia Glen Five 2008 has already garnered considerable international acclaim clinching three gold medals last year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (Best in Class) and the International Wine Challenge in London as well as at Germany’s Mundus Vini. On home turf, the 2008 vintage boasts 4½ stars in Platter’s South African Wines.
The Constantia Glen Five vintage was shaped by the unique location of the vineyards just below Constantia Nek. Constantia Glen’s cool climate vineyards ensure long, slow ripening of the grapes lending a wonderful expression of dark berry aromas and flavours with finely structured tannins to the Constantia Glen Five.
The 2008 vintage, with its broad spectrum of aromas centred around a core of rich black berries, is a blend of Cabernet Franc (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (22%), Petit Verdot (15%), Malbec (14%) and Merlot (13%), aged in 100 % new French oak barrels for 16½ months.
“An exercise in balance,” is how winemaker Justin van Wyk, who has been working in the Constantia Glen cellar for the past four years, describes this lush offering. Aromas of full ripe blackcurrent and morello cherries and spicy aromatics supported by headily scented cigar box nuances, follow through seamlessly onto the palate and are complemented by polished yet persistent tannins that lend texture and structure to this wine of immense complexity.
“The wine is both elegant and refined and exudes class in all aspects – culminating in a sophisticated finish that lingers long after the last sip,” adds Justin who has the good fortune of working with vineyards that benefit from an extra 1½ hours of sunlight that spills over the Constantia Saddle when the rest of the Constantia Valley is in shadow. These extra sunlight hours allow for optimal tannins and the slow ripening lends well rounded, ripe flavour profiles to the wines.
The nose of the Constantia Glen Five 2008 shows all the underpinnings of the expressive Bordeaux varieties and invites further exploration. This is a multifaceted wine that shows powerful development after decanting.
“This wine is superbly balanced, complex and retains the desirable elements of freshness and suppleness. It is dense and has ample extract to allow for superlative ageing potential over the next 10 to 15 years,” says Justin, who recommends drinking it with beef entrecote, oven roasted quail or slow braised beef short ribs.
Constantia Glen Five 2008 is available at fine dining restaurants and boutique wine shops. It sells at the cellar door for R245 a bottle.
