Boekenhoutskoof The Chocolate Block
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Product specifications
| Wine type | Red wine |
|---|---|
| Winery | Boekenhoutskloof |
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Western Cape |
| Appellation | Swartland |
| Grape variety | Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Cinsault, Viognier |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Taste profile | Powerful |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Halal | No |
| Type | Quiet |
| Colour | Red |
| Volume | 0.75 liters |
| Closure | Cork |
| Serving temperature | 16 to 18 degrees |
| No added sulphites | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Alcohol-free | No |
Tasting Note Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block
An abundance of red and dark berries, violets, and intense white pepper. And then that explosion of flavor in your mouth. All layers: from soft, ripe fruit and spices like cardamom, cumin, and clove, to black peppercorns. Concentrated and balanced with fine acidity, tannins reminiscent of cocoa powder and cedarwood. Ending in a lingering, sultry finish. A surprising powerhouse from South Africa. Deep red color.
Wine & Food
This internationally beloved red wine is powerful and a true evening wine. Great at dinner with a piece of grilled meat, beef stews, or a cheese board to finish, or later in the evening by the fireplace. Of course, the great favorite is and remains a classic South African "braai." Also an ideal wine to give as a gift.
Other information
The Chocolate Block is one of the most Googled wines in the world. That undoubtedly has to do with its distinctive name. The winemaker is notoriously mysterious about the wine's origin, which makes it even more intriguing.
Boekenhoutskloof is a high-profile winery in Franschhoek - South Africa, which is particularly impressive in terms of quality. Despite its somewhat unusual African name for the 'French' Franschhoek, Boekenhoutskloof was founded three centuries ago by French Huguenots.
Current winemaker Marc Kent still has a connection to France as well. He visits at least once a year to gain new inspiration in the northern Rhône, Cornas.
The Chocolate Block is a wine all its own within Boekenhoutskloof. It stems from a project to discover the potential of new vineyard plots. The priority is to produce a world-class wine. The grapes come from plots located in different areas.
The Grenache grape comes from very old vines (the oldest vines in South Africa) that stand on sandy soil. This ensures perfect ripening of the grapes. The Cinsault grape comes from granite soils. Ultimately, the different grapes are brought together for a unique blend in which Syrah is the most important grape. This together makes for a delicious Chocolate Block wine.
This blend consists of 55% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cinsault, and 4% Viognier grapes. The exact composition of the wine changes annually, but the main component in the blend is always the Syrah. Supplemented with Cabernet Sauvignon and the Rhône grapes Grenache, Cinsault, and sometimes even the white Viognier. It is dark and bold with an association of cocoa, hence the name.
The Grenache matures in 600-liter barrels, all other grape varieties in French oak barrels, as well as two 500-liter French oak foudres. The wood aging lasts a total of 12 months. Finally, this wine undergoes light egg-white fining and filtration.
The vines for this wine grow as 'bush-vines.' This means the top is pruned and no trellis system is used. Many of the world's oldest vines are maintained this way.
Also available in magnum
Wine Scores/Awards
- 93 points – Tim Atkin MW (2022)
- 91 points – James Suckling
- 5 stars (Platter’s Wine Guide)
- 90 points – Vinous
- Tim Atkin - 2021 - 93/100
- Jancis Robinson ~16.5/20
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