Vin de Constance, 2020
2020 was an even-keeled vintage. The main challenge was the prevailing wind at flowering which reduced the crop. Consequently, the concentration level in the Vin de Constance is a little higher than in 2019. We tasted the wine just before bottling in May this year and noted its luscious feel and a touch more tropicality and stone fruit compared to the more floral 2019. It is sure to delight. It was certainly hard to spit!
critic reviews
Classic and expressive with seductive aromas of marmalade and honeysuckle, the 2020 Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine is fresh, balanced and complex, offering a delightful lift from 60% new oak. Clocking in at 13.5% alcohol, the palate displays a harmonious balance between fruit sweetness and energetic acidity. It has layers of complexity with impeccable breadth and depth. It may be one of the finest expressions of Vin de Constance to date, and it ends with succulent flavors of apricots, saffron, quince paste and sweet candied citrus tones over the long, ever-evolving finish. Aged for a year and a half in 50% new Hungarian and French oak barrels, followed by an additional year and a half of large format wooden foudre, only the best lots end up being selected for the final blend. Bravo! Run, dont walk to buy this world-class sweet wine to put in your cellar!
The 2020 Vin de Constance, the usual Muscat de Frontignan, is matured 50% in Hungarian and French oak barrels for 18 months and then 18 months in foudres. There is 172g/L residual sugar this vintage, which is a little higher than usual. It has a pure bouquet with scents of wild honey, white peaches, nectarine, pressed white flowers and yuzu. Wonderful delineation, but you get the sense that it is holding itself back. The medium-bodied palate has a gorgeous, mellifluous texture coating the mouth without excessively imposing itself, thanks to the countervailing acidity. There’s pineapple, peach skin, aniseed, lime and stem ginger, the latter more pronounced than previous recent vintages and lending spiciness towards the finish as it fans out. Lingering candied orange peel on the aftertaste with the gingerbread theme continuing.
Rich rose gold in colour, just so much interest and depth on the aromatics. I always look forward to tasting this wine, and it never seems to disappoint. Dried apricot, caramel, patisserie, peach pit, sage, cardamon, sweet fleshy nectarine. This was a balanced vintage that was warm but not with the drought conditions of 2019, but it has plenty of sun-sweetened character, with lime zest twisting through the raising the tension and energy. Tasted twice. Matthew Day winemaker.
The 2020 Vin De Constance is 100% Muscat de Frontignan. Fragrant notes of rose oil, allspice, candied ginger, and sultanas jump from the glass, with touches of pear tart and aniseed. The palate is fantastically pure and sweet, with a racy line to balance and an epically long, perfumed finish.