CONSTANTIA GLEN, the acclaimed family owned boutique wine estate, has released the much anticipated 2018 vintage of the elegant THREE Bordeaux-style red blend.
Constantia Glen THREE 2018, a three-way blend of Merlot (55%), Cabernet Franc (26%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (19%), certainly delivers in terms of quality and finesse.
“Juicy, glossy and red-fruited with some spicy oak, a green undertone and a nicely poised finish,” is how UK Master of Wine Tim Atkin, who awarded the wine 92/100 in his 2021 South Africa Special Report, describes this classic Bordeaux blend.
The 2018 vintage also excelled on home turf with 94 points and a Top 10 ranking in the Prescient Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report 2021 convened annually by Winemag.co.za.
The 2018 vintage shows the round, velvety texture so typical of this wine, but also has excellent structure and power. Dark fruit and distinct savoury notes are supported by elegant, velvety tannins. This is an opulent, full-bodied wine with vibrant intensity and inherent freshness.
“2018 was a fantastic vintage for red varieties at Constantia Glen. The vintage delivered extremely elegant and refined wines with great richness, texture, aromatic purity, and persistent, mouth-coating tannins,” says winemaker Justin van Wyk, who enjoys Constantia Glen THREE 2018 most with seared springbok medallions or a shoulder of lamb roast. Van Wyk has been named 2021 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year in recognition of his Platter 5-star Bordeaux-style blend, the Constantia Glen FIVE 2017.
Hailing from the Karoo, this salt-of-the-earth winemaker has been part of the Constantia Glen team since 2008. “I feel extremely honoured to be awarded the 2021 Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year. When I found out that this year’s category was Bordeaux-style red blends, I was very excited to enter our flagship Constantia Glen FIVE,” he says.
“This wine has performed consistently well over the past few years, and there are many people working in the vineyards and cellar that I greatly appreciate. It is an honour to be working on such a phenomenal property, which I believe is a near-perfect site for growing the Bordeaux varieties in South Africa. In summary, I am very fortunate to be the jockey on this really fine horse.”
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The Constantia Glen tasting room is open Mondays to Thursdays 10am to 5pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 8pm and Sundays 10am to 6pm. There is limited seating so booking ahead is recommended either online, email [email protected] or call 021 795 5639.
