The Chocolate Block Red Blend

Boysenberry and dark cherry dominate an inviting nose, with gentle scents of violets and rose petals and intriguing whiffs of exotic spice. The brambly black and red fruits of the nose follow through with flavours of ripe plums, black currant, dried cranberries and blueberries. Slight hints of cured meat and espresso add complexity to the round, silky mid-palate. The mouth-coating texture of dark milk chocolate is balanced with fine, powdery tannins and fresh yet integrated acidity. The wine is medium-bodied, lithe, and elegant with liquorice and subtle hints of crushed coriander and black cardamom lingering on a smooth, soft finish.

• Winery: Boekenhoutskloof Winery
• Varietal: 77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Viognier
• Region: Swartland, South Africa
• Vintage: 2022
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Volume: 750ml
• Closure: Cork
• Other: Vegan-Friendly
• Food match: Lamb roast, beef, game meat, pork & pepperoni; tuna & salmon; pizza; BBQ & heavy red sauces; bleu-veined cheeses

The Chocolate Block 2022 marks the 21st vintage of this iconic wine. The quest to understand the name of this wine and the wine itself is now the stuff of legend. While Boekenhoutskloof are not about to reveal all, they can say that the style of the wine is a reflection of their belief that the Cape, with its Mediterranean climate, is eminently suited to blended reds. The make-up of this wine is tweaked from vintage to vintage to best reflect the season and the ancient vines of great character that are an integral part of the wine’s charm and personality.

 The name "Boekenhoutskloof" comes from the Cape beech, or Kaapse boekenhout, a tree indigenous to Franschhoek and once used by the Cape Dutch for furniture making. It is pronounced, not easily, bok-un-hoatscloof. The winery's white-washed, Dutch-style farmhouse, dated 1771, once stood in an orchard; pears still plump up in the trees around it.

This inviting, robust yet elegant South African Syrah blend is perfect as a gift for someone special or as a corporate gift. Buy right here in our online liquor store, we delivery nationwide.

A SHORT HISTORY

Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Book-n-Howed). Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier.

THE FIGUREHEAD

This svelte lady is the figurehead of Boekenhoutskloof. She is an adaptation of an early silver hallmark of the Cape of Good Hope and she carries the dove of peace and hope. Guarding over Boekenhoutskloof, she represents intrinsic quality, which Boekenhoutskloof prize above all else.

WINES

As a producer, Boekenhoutskloof is a Syrah specialist, with its premium Boekenhoutskloof range selling out on release each vintage, and The Chocolate Block – a Syrah based blend – is probably the most successful new wine offering to come out of South Africa in the modern era. The Wolftrap brand of blended Rhone-style wines was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the early settlers who built what is now a monument to their adventurous spirit. The Porcupine Ridge range of delicious, everyday wines is a firm favourite on tables throughout the world – offering great value and superb drinking.

MARC KENT

A maverick spirit, Boekenhoutskloof’s Managing Partner & Technical Director Marc Kent is the driving force behind the various brands and properties within the Boekenhoutskloof stable. He is unafraid to experiment with the unconventional – however, his principal commitment is to quality on every level and in every detail. Marc is as committed to the continued development and growth of Boekenhoutskloof as he is to the greater South African wine industry. He has been actively involved in the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association as a Board member since its inception and has chaired the Vignerons de Franschhoek on numerous occasions. Through Boekenhoutskloof’s investments in the Swartland wine region, he became a founding member of the Swartland Revolution and Swartland Independent Producers Association.

NATURE CONSERVATION

In the interests of conserving this unique biodiversity, Boekenhoutskloof are removing invasive alien plants from the farm. Large parts of the mountain have already been cleared of pine and gum trees. Restoration of the sensitive riverine area, as well as the re-introduction of various protea species, is on-going. A rare Erica called Erica Lerouxiae has been identified on the property and is completely unique to Boekenhoutskloof and the neighbouring farm, Haut Espoir. Boekenhoutskloof is a founder member of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy (together with Haut Espoir), an initiative to improve co-operation between neighbours, as well as to improve fire management and fynbos conservation in the valley.

THE STORY OF THE 7 CHAIRS

Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for making fine furniture. The Boekenhoutskloof label features seven chairs; amongst them the country-style split splat chair made in the neo-classical style with a shouldered top rail and thonged seat from the late 18th century. Then there’s the Sandveld chair that has two back rails and a thonged seat which made its appearance in the second quarter of the 19th century. The transitional Tulbagh chair was made in the late 18th century, it has a plain back and a shaped top rail with half-round opening. The chairs on Boekenhoutskloof's wine label all pay tribute to the skills of the 18th century craftsmen and their achievements in creating beauty from natural sources, just like the pursuit of fine wine-making.

• 5 Stars - 2024 Platter’s South African Wine Guide (2022 vintage)
• 93/100 Points - Tim Atkin MW, 2023 South Africa Report (2022 vintage)
• 91/100 Points - James Suckling (2022 vintage)
• 90/100 Points - Vinous (2022 vintage)
• 93/100 Points - Tim Atkin (2021 vintage)
• 91/100 Points - James Suckling (2021 vintage)
• 90/100 Points - Vinous (2021 vintage)
• 90/100 Points - CellarTracker (2021 vintage)
• 93/100 Points - Sarah Ahmed, Decanter (2020 Vintage)
• 4.5 Stars - 2022 Platter’s South African Wine Guide (2020 Vintage)
• 92/100 Points - Wine Spectator (2020 Vintage)