Constantia Glen, TWO 2023

Description

Located below Constantia Nek, Constantia Glen is a picturesque wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate white and red wines. The 60-hectare property, situated 103-2790 meters above sea level, has a mere 29 hectares under vine with product of wines limited to 120,000 bottles per annum. Although winemaking began in 1685, recent history begins with the Waibel family, who purchased the land in 1960. Although this land is difficult to farm, the dedication, patience and passion of the Waibel family has resulted in high-quality wines, reflective of the terroir.

HARVEST SUMMARY BY CELLARMASTER, JUSTIN VAN WYK
The 2023 vintage was yet another fantastic one for the white varieties at Constantia Glen, with the first Sauvignon blanc grapes being picked on 14 February 2023, two weeks earlier than the previous year. The flavours of the Sauvignon blanc grapes were concentrated and intense; and backed up with lovely acidity and freshness. With a cold winter leading into a warmer spring and less wind in the growing season than expected, there was even budding throughout the vineyards and textbook conditions for flowering and berry set. The cooler growing season resulted in slow and even ripening of the grapes, which is beneficial to the development of complex flavour precursors. Thanks to well established vineyards with excellent root systems, the dryland vineyards on the estate ripened the fruit with ease and the vintage has delivered elegant and refined white wines with great richness, texture, and delicious mouth-coating acidity. The harvest of Sauvignon blanc continued for a short 2 weeks, with each vineyard block hand-harvested once it had achieved optimal ripeness. The white grape harvest came to a close on the 3rd March 2023 when the last blocks of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon were picked and processed into the winery.

VINIFICATION
The grapes used to make this classic, wooded Constantia white blend are specially selected from the best vineyard blocks on the estate. These grapes are handpicked, and while the Sémillon grapes are pressed as whole bunches, all the Sauvignon blanc was destemmed, crushed and then given between 6 to 18 hours of skin-contact at prior to pressing.

TASTING NOTE
Light in colour with a straw-like appearance highlighted by a light green hue, the TWO 2023 exudes elegance with delicate aromas of limes, green fig and white blossom. The wine shows fantastic purity of fruit, great concentration and depth. The bright acidity brings about a zesty grapefruit-like freshness to the wine, beautifully balanced by the mouth-coating creamy texture on the palate.
The Sauvignon blanc forms the backbone of the blend and provides lovely acidity, contributing to the brightness and restrained focus of the wine. The Sémillon contributes
yellow fruit and floral notes, as well as weight, richness, and texture to the palate. This harmonious blend has an intriguing saline quality that lingers, leaving you wanting more. It is a classic Constantia white blend that will further develop in the bottle and gain even more complexity with age. Bottle maturation would be possible for 10 to 15 years under ideal cellaring conditions.

FOOD PAIRING
Salmon sashimi. Classic flammkuchen with Alphen speck. Grilled kingklip with olive and caper salsa.

TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 14.0%
Residual Sugar 1.8 g/L
pH 3.23
Titratable Acidity 6.20 g/L
VA 0.46 g/L

Additional information

Pairs well with salmon sashimi, classic flammkuchen with Alphen speck or grilled kingklip fish with olive and caper salsa.