Constantia Glen Three 2017

2017 was really a fantastic vintage for the red varieties at Constantia Glen and the wines from this vintage have garnered the same respect as those made in 2015. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with bright aromatics

This delicious three-way blend was carefully crafted from grapes grown on the estate. It comprises 52% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and was matured for 17 months in 25% new-, 60% second fill- and 15% third fill French oak barrels. The wine was not fined, but only lightly filtered prior to bottling to subtly mellow the rich tannin structure. This astounding vintage shows the round, velvety texture that has become synonymous to the Constantia Glen THREE, but also has excellent structure and power. This means that it can be enjoyed in its youth, yet it will certainly age and develop admirably for another 10-15 years under correct cellaring conditions.

COLOUR
Youthful in colour with a dark, deep red core unwinding into a bright and lively garnet rim.
NOSE
Forthcoming nose with expressive red and black fruit flavours. Beyond these initial ripe fruit
flavours, there is complex collection of savoury dried-herb flavours intermingled with
lingering notes of white pepper, blackcurrant and cedar.
PALATE
The dark fruit and distinct savoury notes on the nose follow effortlessly onto that first sip
where elegant, velvety tannins grip the palate in a vibrant intensity of flavour. This
incredible richness and concentration of fine-grain tannins is further echoed by an earthy
minerality and the wine’s inherent freshness brings about a long, well-defined finish. This
opulent, full-bodied wine possesses old world authenticity with its delicate herbal fynbos
notes that reign in the powerful fruit flavours.