2021 Pas de Nom Creative Batch, Beau Constantia, Constantia, South Africa

Beau Constantia first started their journey with the Creative Batch project in turbulent times during the 2020 pandemic-driven prohibition, where v1.0 was born.

The 2021 Creative Batch (v2.0) is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Fernao Pires, Roussanne, Verdelho and Viognier, all treated differently to honour each variety’s individual potential as a wine. Once all the parts finished their different fermentations, they were blended together and allowed to mature on the gross lees for 9 months prior to being bottled.

This wine was only intended for a single vintage, but is back by popular demand and the 2021 has legs. It is bright and lively with concentrated fruit and a pithy finish that demands another dip. True to the vintage; it is notably fresher than the 2020 and will easily outlive its predecessor! The first aromas to leap from the glass are intensely citrusy and give way to delicacies of ginger and clove. The palate is waxy yet grippy with a leesy weight and incredibly fine tannins that perfectly poise a tangy, tropical finish.

Beau Constantia is a boutique wine farm situated at the top of Constantia Nek overlooking False Bay. Vines are planted to an elevation of 350 metres above sea-level on some of the steepest agricultural slopes in the Cape. These lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges and over False Bay as far as Hangklip.

After devastating fires destroyed the fynbos and pine forests on the property in 2000, the slopes were cleared and terraced, thereby exposing great potential for the planting of vineyards. Pierre and Cecily Du Preez purchased the 22 hectare property in 2002 and after extensive soil analysis the first vineyards were planted in 2003 with the help of dedicated farm manager, Japie Bronn.

Development of vineyards on the steep slopes took a lot of patience and effort, but today the farm prides itself with 11.47 hectares under vine. The cultivated varieties include Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz and Petit Verdot.