2019 Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, South Africa

We're trying to make a sweet wine that doesn't taste too sweet," says Matt Day of Vin de Constance. Fermented in 60% new wood before ageing in foudres, the 2019 is a little more exotic than the 2017 and 2018 releases, with more evident Muscat d'Alexandrie characters. Textured and rich, with 163 grams of sugar, orange zest, honey and pear tart flavours and a weighty finish of considerable concentration.Drink 2023 - 2030Tim Atkin MW, TimAtkin.com (August 2022)

Intense, powerful nose of apricot, orange and white flowers. On the palate, rich and sweet with a touch of spice, but a very fine line of acidity keeping beautiful harmony. Very long. This will fill out with more vanilla creaminess from longer maturation.Drink 2023 - 2035Tim Jackson MW, JancisRobinson.com (June 2020)

This is, as always, a vital wine to buy for your cellar because it is insanely precocious while retaining mind-blowing levels of acidity to protect it for decades to come. Flavour-wise, we are on a well-trodden path of glorious wild honey, peach kernel, jasmine, fresh-picked lemons and gleaming white almonds. This is yet another phenomenal sweet wine from one of only a handful of estates on earth that can make wine with their eyes shut and still turn out a riveting beauty. Glorious in every way AND drinking now, track some down next month, drink one bottle, put the rest away, and throw away the key!Drink 2022 - 2050matthew_jukes, MatthewJukes.com (August 2022)

The 2019 Vin de Constance is matured for 18 months in 500-liter Hungarian and French oak barrels, 50% new, followed by another 18 months in oak foudres. The growing season saw more sunlight hours than previous vintages (2,998 compared to 2,588 in 2018 for example). It has an understated nose, almost Sauternes-like even if it does not contain an ounce of botrytis. Subtle nutty aromas percolate through the wild honey and quince scents, wax resin and lanolin.The palate is medium-bodied and very pure. Disarmingly fine acidity, it is slightly Germanic towards the finish. with a hint of lemongrass lingering on the aftertaste. This is a superb Vin de Constance under the tenure of Matt Day that is a step closer to what you might confusingly call a non-sweet dessert wine.Drink 2027 - 2050Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (July 2022)

Bright, medium to deep gold hue, showing focused and pure aromas of honeysuckle, fresh vanilla, lemon tart, dried mango, ginger and a hint of saffron. Certainly quite sweet, but not unctuous, with the natural, effortless acidity managing to balance the lushness. Intense, yet scented and naturally expressive. Persistent finish. You crave for a second glass if you drink it now, but you can also hold it for a decade in your cellar.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (July 2022)

Vin de Constance takes the category of sweet wines to a new level, and this is another stunning success from them. Expect succulent pear, quince, apple, peach pit, tarte tatin, wonderfully seductive and opulent but never taking a single step over the line. Second year on the Place for this iconic wine. Winemaker Matthew Day.Drink 2023 - 2040jane_anson_mw, janeanson_com (August 2022)