The Chocolate Block (gift box)

Tasting Note The Chocolate Block (Gift Box)

Exceptionally fragrant on the nose. An abundance of red and dark berries, violets, and intense white pepper. And then that flavor explosion on your palate. All in layers: from soft, ripe fruit and spices like cardamom, cumin, and cloves, to black peppercorns. Concentrated, structured, and balanced. With fine acidity, tannins reminiscent of cocoa powder, and a cedarwood character. Ending in an endless, sultry finish. A surprising powerhouse from South Africa. Deep red color.

Food Pairing

This internationally beloved red wine is powerful and a true evening wine. Great with dinner featuring a piece of grilled meat, beef stews, or a cheese platter as a finale, or later in the evening by the fireplace. Naturally, the great favorite 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 only makes it 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 'French' Franschhoek, Boekenhoutskloof was founded three centuries ago by French Huguenots.

The current winemaker, Marc Kent, also still has a connection to France. He visits at least once a year to find new inspiration in the northern Rhône, specifically Cornas.

The Chocolate Block is a unique wine 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 various sites.

The Grenache grapes come from very old vines (the oldest vines in South Africa) that grow in sandy soil. This ensures perfect ripening of the grapes. The Cinsault grapes come from granite soils. Ultimately, the different grapes are brought together for a unique blend where Syrah is the main grape. This all 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 most important component in the blend is always the Syrah. Complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and the Rhône grapes Grenache, Cinsault, and sometimes even the white Viognier. It is dark and robust 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 oak aging lasts for a total of 12 months. Finally, this wine undergoes light egg-white fining and filtration.

The vines for this wine are grown as 'bush vines'. This means the top is pruned and no trellis system is used. Many of the world’s oldest vines are maintained in this way.

Also available in gift box

Wine scores/awards

Wine critic Tim Atkin gave the 2021 vintage a score of 93 out of 100. It is ready to drink now, but you can certainly cellar it for another 8 years. On the other hand: why would you?