Name: Beau Constantia Pas de Nom Red 2022
Brand: Beau Constantia
Price: 15.5 EUR
Availability: InStock

Beau Constantia Pas de Nom Red 2022

This is a blend of 44% Merlot, 28% Syrah, 18% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the steep slopes of Beau Constantia Winery. The grapes are harvested by hand in the early morning hours to preserve the freshness in the final wine. After fermentation, the must went into 225 litre French oak barrels for 18 months, none of which were new. Like other BC red wines, the wine is unfiltered and unfined before bottling. Bright crimson in colour with a ruby red rim, it boasts aromas of sour red cherries and fleshy plums sourced from Merlot. Merlot also yields soft, velvety tannins that are nicely balanced by the firm structure and floral intensity of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Matouš Forman 89

2022 / 0.75l / 14% / Constantia - South Africa

About the winery

Beau Constantia is a small winery located at the top of Constantia Nek with a spectacular view of False Bay. Across the bay, Stellenbosch and the Helderberg mountains are in sight. It's hard to believe that as famous an area as Constantia is (the first vines were planted here in the 17th century) the first vines were only planted on the property in 2003. Until then there were goat farms here, which burned down in the fires at the turn of the millennium.

The winery's philosophy is minimal intervention in production and winemaker Megan van der Merwe has left no stone unturned when it comes to creating wines with a strong sense of terroir. The vineyards comprise 12 hectares that cling tenaciously to the steepest hillside in the Western Cape. Without limits, however, is the winery's commitment to putting out beautiful, structured wines that perfectly reflect their given vintage and place of origin.

Terroir

Constantia is a historic wine region located in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. In the 18th century it became famous for its iconic dessert wine, Vin de Constance. Today, the area is evolving and is renowned for its high quality Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux wines.

Vineyards in Constanta range from the lower elevations to the southeastern slopes of Mount Constantiaberg, with the highest vineyards reaching 1,300 feet (400 meters) above sea level, making them some of the steepest in the country. Thanks to the shade provided by the mountains and a steady sea breeze, average temperatures on the slopes are lower, helping the grapes retain their refreshing acidity. Wind plays a vital role in the health of the vines, as the persistent southeasterly winds stress them and encourage deeper root growth in search of nutrients.

The soil in Constantia, which is situated on top of old decayed granite deposits, is fertile, well-drained and rich in clay. This clay retains moisture during wet winters and helps to keep the vines hydrated during the dry summer months. Furthermore, Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot thrive on the slopes, benefiting from the prolonged sunshine which improves the ripening process.