Groot Constantia Constantia Rood 2020

Groot Constantia Constantia Rood 2020

Groot Constantia sits at the heart of the Constantia Wine Appellation just north of the Cape Town City centre, a mere 20-minute drive away. Here Floricius Beukes, the Vineyardist, and his team provide the Pinotage, Shiraz and Merlot grapes which dominate Boela Gerber’s Constantia Rood blend. These grapes come from South and Southeast facing slopes which have a variety of different soil types. Once harvested, the grapes were separately vinified with 4 hourly pump overs for best extraction. The different components are aged separately for 12 months in 18% 1st fill barrels 25% 2nd 14% 3rd and 43% 4th fill French oak barrels before being carefully blended and prepared for bottling.

Boela Gerber, Winemaker, in the Groot Constantia Barrel Cellar

Pour

From a Bordeaux shaped bottle, closed with natural cork. The label is the classical Groot Constantia design with an etching of the Manor House. In the glass, the wine is an opaque blood plum at the heart which pales out to a translucent ruby at the edges. The nose reflects the uniqueness of the blend. Black Cherries and berries and plums abound in the nose, while the palate has a lovely line of acidity running through it in support of the generous fruit and restrained use of oak with its concomitant spice and vanilla. Dark chocolate in undertow in the long and refreshing aftertaste.

Dianne Bibby’s Paprika Roast Chicken

Pair

The Groot Constantia Constantia Rood 2020 is an excellent sipping wine while watching rugby on TV with a sharp knife and stick of venison biltong. However, it is great as a food partner and matches well with Dianne Bibby’s Paprika Roast Chicken. Click here for her recipe, and do have a good look at her website, she is a gem and worth following.

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