Decanter (98)

An historical wine, Vin de Constance has been re-established in the last few years as one of the world’s finest sweet wines. Dried Muscat grapes are aged for three years before bottling, in French and Hungarian casks with a touch of acacia wood. Citrus, orange zest, rosewater and spice notes leap out of the glass. The palate has a laser-like focus with massive sweetness perfectly balanced by acidity and a mineral finish. As impressive as Château d’Yquem (and considerably better value).

Tim Atkin MW (98)

Increasingly celebrated as one of the great sweet wines of the world, not just the Cape, Vin de Constance is a delight to taste and review. Slightly drier than the 205 release at 165 grams of sugar, it has more in common with the Loire or Tokaji than it does with Sauternes in terms of freshness and structure.

Tim Atkin MW (98)

"Lighter and lighter" is the motto at Klein Constantia these days, according to Matt Day. The latest, world-class release of Vin de Constance certainly doesn’t lack sweetness at 165 grams or even concentration, but it has a freshness that's reminiscent of Vouvray or Barsac. Subtly wooded in 50% new barrels, it unfurls layers of citrus, toast and tarte tatin, with a drizzle of honey and vivid acidity and palate length. Bravo!

Matthew Jukes (19.5++)

I am informed by the top man at Klein Constantia that the price will be the same as last year’s superb 2017 and all of the likely candidates in the UK are likely to hold stock. It will require a little effort on Google and you will see that a large number of wine merchants will list 2018 Vin de Constance and while the prices swing around like no other wine I know, at £60 or so, for a half litre, it certainly makes sense to me and when you consider the sheer quality of this vintage, it is a bargain for this celestial experience. Stock is likely to arrive in September 2021, but do feel free to register your interest with your preferred wine merchant now. Vintage reports suggest that the build-up to the 2018 harvest brought the highest summer rainfall of the last six years and, combined with some of the coldest night-time temperatures on record, the vines were granted a very long and very slow growing season. These conditions have imbued extreme delicacy of perfume and flavour and also staggering concentration and length in this wine. It also means that the 2018 vintage has otherworldly characteristics and I cannot remember a young vintage tasting so refined and demure. Light bunches and tiny Muscat de Frontignan berries underline just how unusual this vintage was and with a harvest that was a fortnight later than average and crops down by about 15% all of these facts make sense when you taste this ethereal wine. Aged for three years in a combination of 50% new French oak barrels, a small number of acacia barrels, as well as large format foudres, this is both a sensual and also sensitive wine. For a start, the colour is incredibly pale – think a young Sancerre! But the viscosity is amazing when you pour a glass because the liquid moves ever so slightly slower and more deliberately into the glass. The lights come on and the brain fires up immediately and it takes you by surprise just how quickly your olfactory system senses that you are in the presence of greatness. I was in a state of heightened anticipation, long before I raised the glass to my lips and the reward is exquisite. The perfume and palate combine in an astral haze of delight with orange blossom, fig, lemon verbena, wild honey and acacia notes caressing your senses. The texture is super-smooth, incredibly long and unnervingly gentle. It certainly possesses the longest finish I can remember on a Vin de Constance and I have, very fortunately, a tasted huge number of vintages of this wine. If you have never tasted this wine before, please start with this vintage – it will blow your mind. If you have and you are a fan, this is a critical purchase for your collection. I cannot wait to add this wine to my cellar later in the year.

Fulfilling even the refined palate of the most insatiable vinophile, the Les Horees Bourgogne Aligote En Couzelain 2020 is a superbly crafted, spirited, and eloquent expression of the hallowed terroirs of Bourgogne (Burgundy). It is cultivated by Les Horees, a remarkable vineyard revered for its commitment to organic and biodynamic practices, and respect for the environment.

The wine is harvested from the tiny En Couzelain vineyard plot, a place of pure calcareous soil blessings that give this Aligote its indomitable character. Aged 'sur lie' to augment richness, this hand-harvested varietal undergoes stringent sorting to ensure optimal purity and natural fermentation.

The Les Horees Bourgogne Aligote En Couzelain 2020 reveals a generous bouquet of citrus and white flowers, leading to a concentrated palate that resonates with delightful freshness, minerality, and an admirable, lingering finish. This is a limited-production wine, making each sip an indulgence in exclusivity and grace.

Relish in the sophistication of the Robert Sirugue Bourgogne Aligote 2015, a definitive masterpiece hailing from the esteemed vineyards of Burgundy, France. Produced by the distinguished Maison Robert Sirugue who have been crafting gastronomic wines in Vosne-Romanée since the 1920s, this wine reflects their inimitable commitment to quality and the quintessence of their terroir. This Aligote, a grape varietal indigenous to Bourgogne, is adeptly cultivated on one hectare plot enriched by calcareous clay soil, which provides rich mineral nuances to the wine.

The Robert Sirugue Bourgogne Aligote 2015 is expertly matured for 10 months in stainless steel vats, featuring a bright and clear golden colour. Its nose is a delightful blend of floral and citrus aromas, followed by a zesty, vivacious palate with a beautifully balanced acidity. A timeless classic, it stands as a perfect companion to seafood, goat cheese, or as an aperitif. Delight in the artistry of Robert Sirugue with this sensational Bourgogne Aligote.