2018 Vin de Constance Blanc

100% Muscat de Frontigan. Harvested in 21 batches over 60 days, beginning in early February, with higher-acidity grapes, and finishing 11 April, with grapes with more maturity and flavour. The second most prolonged harvest since the maiden 1986. Slower ripening than normal and smaller berries. Berries and raisins sorted by hand. Cold maceration for up to two weeks. Inoculation with a non- Saccharomyces yeast to initiate fermentation while inhibiting unwanted microorganisms, and therefore off-flavours. Each batch is pressed to 500-litre barrels, for fermentation, lasting six months to a year. Three years’ maturation on gross lees, in 60% new French oak barrels, some acacia barrels, and larger foudres. No racking until the final blend has been reached. TA 6.2 g/l, pH 3.77, RS 172 g/l.  Pale-mid gold. Very floral nose of acacia and orange blossom, with creamy apricot notes and deftly integrated baking-spice notes from the oak maturation. Sweet, rich palate entry, with apricot and orange, but the floral notes kick in and, with a little bit of pithy chew, a sense of dryness does build. Lovely poise, though a shade behind the 2017 in finesse. Still a rather lovely wine, either way! (TJ)

The 2018 Vin de Constance was picked over 60 days, the second most prolonged picking since the maiden 1986 vintage. It was lightly pressed into 500-liter barrels for alcoholic fermentation, which can take up to six months, then matured on the gross lees in 60% new oak and acacia barrels. This vintage contains 172g/L residual sugar and 6.2g/L total acidity. It presents a vibrant, effervescent bouquet of freshly sliced grapefruit, fresh fig and citrus fruit, all penetrating, vivacious and tensile. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, impressive weight and notes of grapefruit and orange zest plus hints of stem ginger. The spiciness is accentuated toward the finish. Another outstanding Vin de Constance courtesy of winemaker Matt Day.

100% Muscat de Frontignan. Another brilliant nose from Vin de Constance. Very floral, with notes of fresh grapes, sultanas and honey. The palate is fleshy and complex with spice. Ginger, lemongrass and yuzu come through with further notes of honey and sultana. Despite the sweetness, there is a lightness of touch. Vibrant, powerful fruit and earthy ginger and saffron linger on a very long finish. (TP)