2022 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.79%
Residual Sugar 3.2 g/L
pH 3.2
Total Acidity 6.8 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Classification Constantia, Western Cape
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Stainless Steel
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Maceration 7 days
Oak Aging 5 months
Lees Aging 7 months
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 500L
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The grapes were left on the skins for a period of 7 days before pressing, followed by a wild and spontaneous fermentation. The wine underwent cold fermentation, followed by 5 months maturation in neutral 500L french oak barrels, then left on the lees in tank for 7 months before blending and bottling.
Tasting Notes
orange zest, citrus blossom, lime, lichi, vanilla
Vintages
2021 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.68%
Residual Sugar 3.6 g/L
pH 3.12
Total Acidity 7.5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel, Oak Barrel
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Maceration 4 days
Oak Aging 6 months
Lees Aging 6 months
Oak Types French
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The grapes were left on the skins for a period of 4 days before pressing, followed by a wild and spontaneous fermentation. The wine underwent cold fermentation and was left on the gross lees in tank for 6 months. It spent a further 6 months in neutral French oak before blending and bottling.
2018 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.63%
Residual Sugar 4.3 g/L
pH 3.08
Total Acidity 7.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel, Oak Barrel
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Maceration 4 days
Oak Aging 6 months
Lees Aging 6 months
Oak Types French
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The grapes were left on the skins for a period of 4 days before pressing, followed by a wild and spontaneous fermentation. The wine underwent cold fermentation and was left on the gross lees in tank for 6 months. It spent a further 6 months in neutral French oak before blending and bottling.
Tasting Notes
Nose: stone fruit, beeswax, jasmine
Palate: fresh, vibrant, lime, orange blossom, broad elegant mouthfeel
2017 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.44%
Residual Sugar 3.5 g/L
pH 3.17
Total Acidity 6.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Lees Aging 6 months
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The grapes had long extended skin contact before pressing and were fermented naturally. The wine underwent cold fermentation and was left on the lees for 6 months. No added enzymes were used in the making of this wine.
2016 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.28%
Residual Sugar 6.3 g/L
pH 3.23
Total Acidity 6.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Lees Aging 6 months
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The grapes had long extended skin contact before pressing and were fermented naturally. The wine underwent cold fermentation and was left on the lees for 6 months. No added enzymes were used in the making of this wine.
Tasting Notes
Nose: peach, floral, minerality
Palate: fresh, aromatic, citrus
2015 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.66%
Residual Sugar 2.8 g/L
pH 3.16
Total Acidity 7.5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Natural Yeast Yes
Lees Aging 6 months
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details The Riesling is made in a natural and minimalistic style. The wine was naturally fermented and left on the lees for 6 months. Long extended skin contact before pressing, cold fermentation, no added enzymes and only the bare minimal essential additives were used in the making of this wine.
2014 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 9.8 g/L
pH 3.22
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Natural Yeast Yes
Lees Aging 6 months
Production Details The Riesling grapes were hand selected and only perfect bunches were picked, as a result we only harvested 2 tons per hectare. Despite these low yields, the Riesling vines provided excellent quality fruit with super acidity and fresh aromatics. The Riesling is made in a natural and more importantly minimalistic style. The wine was naturally fermented and left on the lees for 6 months. Long extended skin contact before pressing, cold fermentation, no added enzymes and only the bare minimal essential additives were used in the making of this wine.
Tasting Notes
floral, savoury, citrus blossom
2013 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.0%
Residual Sugar 9.8 g/L
pH 3.22
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Drink now, but will age beautifully for up to 10 years in bottle
Region Constantia
Natural Yeast Yes
Extended Maceration Yes
Production Details 2012 saw the end of an era with the last vintage from the old mother blocks of Riesling at Klein Constantia. Thus the 2013 crop only came from the newly planted vineyard that properly came into production this year. It is exciting to see a bright, new, fresh vineyard come into production, although it is also sad to lose our original Riesling vineyards, established in the early 80's. In 2013 Klein Constantia has for the first time in eight years produced a Noble Late Harvest from Riesling and it is the first time since 2004 this off-dry style has been made. This is thanks to blending in of just a touch of NLH Riesling into our final blend. The intention of this is to round off as well as improve on the previous style of Riesling. This style of Riesling is only made in exceptional years when all of the elements work together. We have gone completely natural and more importantly minimalistic: naturally fermented, long extended skin contact before pressing, cold fermentation, no added enzymes and only the bare minimal essential additives were used in the making of this wine. We believe that this is the only way to create elegant Riesling with distinct terroir expression depicting the authentic style of its origin.
2012 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.46%
Residual Sugar 3.4 g/L
pH 3.47
Total Acidity 6 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Region Constantia
Natural Yeast Yes
Lees Aging 4 months
Production Details The two different components were treated completely differently; the young blocks being put to the test by fermenting in extreme conditions with higher turbidity natural fermentation and a very cold fermentation temperature. The older riesling blocks were, however, fermented clean, inoculated with yeast and kept at a moderate temperature. The two components were blended together and left on the lees for a further 4 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Nose: sweet citrus blossom, spicy vanilla, coriander
Palate: white peach, Turkish delight
2011 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 11.6%
Residual Sugar 2.6 g/L
pH 3.5
Total Acidity 5.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Easily enjoyable now, this wine could spend a further 5-10 years in the bottle.
Region Constantia
Vine Age 25+ years
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Stainless Steel
Lees Aging 6 months
Production Details 2011 was a difficult year for the 25+ year old Riesling vines resulting in a crop of a mere 1.3 tonnes per hectare. The low yield led to early phenolic ripeness at a lower sugar level. After destemming and crushing, the grapes were pressed, settled and fermented at a lower temperature than previous years in a combination of 500 litre wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks. Maturation on lees lasted for approximately 6 months whereafter the wine was stabilized and bottled.
Tasting Notes
Nose: riper fruit, orange zest, citrus blossom, cardamom, creamy spice
Palate: citrus crispness
2010 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 10.65%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.3
Total Acidity 7.5 g/L
Calories (estimated) 90 kcal / glass
150ml glass90 kcal
750ml bottle450 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Will mature over the next 10 - 15 years
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel Tank
Lees Aging 4 months
Production Details After destemming and crushing, the grapes were pressed, settled and fermented in stainless steel tank. Maturation on lees lasted for approximately 4 months whereafter the wine was stabilized and bottled.
Tasting Notes
Nose: citrus blossom, light confected notes
Palate: tight, finely balanced acid, slate-like, dry mineral quality
2009 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.36%
Residual Sugar 4.1 g/L
pH 3.12
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window 10-15 years.
Region Constantia
Grapes Picked March 9
Brix at Harvest 21.0°
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Stainless Steel
Lees Aging 10 months
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 500L
Bottling Date January 2010
Production Details Grapes were harvested at 21 balling on the 9th March. Riesling is a rot sensitive variety, but there was literally not one damaged berry at the weighbridge. After destemming and crushing the juice was settled to a high clarity and inoculated for fermentation. 25% of the blend was fermented in older 500L French oak barrels, the remainder in stainless steel tanks. Maturation took place on lees for 10 months and the wine was bottled in January 2010. Largely regarded as one of the finest vintages in recent memory. Cool weather during the growing season, and a warm, dry period during harvest resulted in perfectly healthy grapes with good acidity levels and ripe flavours.
Tasting Notes
Nose: lime, citrus blossom, jasmine
Palate: sweet entry, fine mineral acidity, Turkish delight, rose petals
2008 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 11.59%
Residual Sugar 1.5 g/L
pH 3.12
Total Acidity 7.2 g/L
Calories (estimated) 95 kcal / glass
150ml glass95 kcal
750ml bottle475 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel, Oak Barrel
Lees Aging 11 months
Production Details After oxidative juice handling and a light gelatine fining, the juice was inoculated and fermented in 75% stainless steel tank, and the remainder in used 500L barrels. The wine matured on its lees for 11 months before preparation for bottling took place.
Tasting Notes
Nose: mandarin, pineapple, citrus blossom
Palate: mineral
2007 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.06%
Residual Sugar 2.2 g/L
pH 3.36
Total Acidity 6.9 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Stainless Steel
Bottling Date December 2007
Closure Screwcap
Production Details Exceptionally healthy fruit was harvested at the end of February. After crushing and destemming the grapes were pressed, juice settled and fermented in a combination of 500L barrels and stainless steel tanks. Stirring on fine yeast lees lasted until bottling preparation began in November 2007. The wine was bottled under screwcap in December of the same year. An early vintage with the Riesling coming off the vine at the end of February. Very healthy fruit with no rot, and very good acidity. Maturation 5-10 years.
2006 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.8%
Residual Sugar 2.1 g/L
pH 3.11
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 105 kcal / glass
150ml glass105 kcal
750ml bottle525 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window next 10-15 years
Region Constantia
Fermentation Vessels Oak Barrel, Stainless Steel
Pressing Method Whole Cluster
Lees Aging 4 months
Barrel Size 500L puncheons
Closure Screwcap
Production Details Rigorous vineyard selection resulted in only 50% of our average yield making it to the cellar for vinification. Needless to say, the drop in quantity of this year's bottled wine is more than compensated by the wine's quality. Whole bunch pressing and very strict juice selection further cut this year's production. Half the volume underwent a spontaneous fermentation in old 500L "puncheons" whilst the other half was fermented in stainless steel tank with an innoculated yeast culture. After 4 months maturation on fine yeast lees the wine was bottled under screwcap.
Tasting Notes
Nose: candied fruit, tangerine zest, steely mineral characters
Palate: firm acidic backbone, floral, citrus-like aromatics
2005 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.02%
Residual Sugar 4.1 g/L
pH 3.25
Total Acidity 6.2 g/L
Calories (estimated) 100 kcal / glass
150ml glass100 kcal
750ml bottle500 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window The wine should age very well for the next 10-15 years.
Region Constantia
Closure Screwcap
Tasting Notes
Nose: naartjie peel, citrus blossom, jasmine
Palate: granny smith apple, juicy sweet fruit, grapefruit pith, steely river pebble texture
2004 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 12.6%
Residual Sugar 8.7 g/L
pH 3.26
Total Acidity 7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 110 kcal / glass
150ml glass110 kcal
750ml bottle550 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Region Constantia
Soil Decomposed table mountain granite
Grapes Picked March 2004
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel
Botrytis Affected Yes
Bottling Date September 2004
Closure Screwcap
Production Details Late season dew and humidity encourages the development of some botrytis. Grapes were harvested by hand in March of the 2004 vintage. Some fruit was affected by the botrytis cinerea, which will impart character and complexity with bottle age. Cool fermentation took place in closed stainless steel vats. The wine was bottled 6 months after harvest. Ready to drink now, but will evolve well in bottle for a further 5-6 years.
Tasting Notes
Nose: fresh pineapple
Palate: apple, grapefruit
2003 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.6%
Residual Sugar 10.8 g/L
pH 3.44
Total Acidity 6.4 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Region Constantia
Soil Decomposed table mountain granite
Orientation South-Facing
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel
Botrytis Affected Yes
Bottling Date September 2003
Closure Screwcap
Production Details Late season dew and humidity encouraged the development of beneficial botrytis. Grapes were harvested by hand in March of this excellent 2003 vintage. Approximately 20% of the fruit was affected by the botrytis cinerea, which enhances the character and complexity of the wine with age. Cool fermentation took place in closed stainless steel vats. The wine was bottled 6 months after harvest. Made in an off-dry style, this pale straw-coloured wine exhibits youthful apple and spice aromas, with no evidence yet of terpene or botrytis character. The intense, concentrated fruit flavours are well balanced by lively acidity and appealing minerality, which carries through to the long, rich and spicy finish. In keeping with the rapidly growing international trend towards alternative closures, this wine has been bottled with a screwcap, eliminating the possibility of cork taint, and preserving fruit character and freshness. Ready to drink now, but should evolve and improve in bottle for a further 6 years.
2002 Technical Specifications
Alcohol 11.08%
Residual Sugar 8.3 g/L
pH 3.39
Total Acidity 6.1 g/L
Calories (estimated) 95 kcal / glass
150ml glass95 kcal
750ml bottle475 kcal
Grape Varieties Riesling
Riesling100%
Drinking Window Ready to drink now, but will evolve well in bottle for a further 5-6 years.
Region Constantia
Soil Table mountain granite
Fermentation Vessels Stainless Steel
Botrytis Affected Yes
Bottling Date 6 months after harvest
Production Details Grapes were harvested in late-February of this moderate vintage. Approximately 20% of the fruit was affected by botrytis. This enhances the character and complexity of the wine with age. Cool fermentation in stainless steel vats followed. The wine was bottled 6 months after harvest.
Tasting Notes
floral, tropical fruit, pineapple, marzipan, spicy
Shop prices
| Reference | Vintage / size | Price / bottle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine-SearcherLWIN 1140206 | — | — | wine-searcher.com ↗ |
Producer Information
Website
Address
Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, 7806
Phone
+27 21 794 5188
Email
Owner
Zdeněk Bakala &
Charles D. Harman
Charles D. Harman
Cellarmaster
Matthew Day