Made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot, the 2017 Constantia Red begins with a dark ruby core and opens to a dusty, herbal red-fruited nose. Medium to full-bodied, the blend first expresses elegant brown baking spices of vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom before swinging to flavors of dusty plum, cherry skin, roasted red pepper, graphite and cassis. The mid-palate shows lively acidity with firm, gripping tannins before ending with a dusty, lingering finish. 10,500 bottles were filled after spending 15 months in 70% first use French oak barrels.