Boekenhoutskloof - The Chocolate Block 2023

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.

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.

Grapes are whole-berry fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel fermenters with no additions being made. After spontaneous fermentation, we transferred the juice to seasoned 225L French barrique. The élevage ranged between 12-14 months, depending on variety.

“It's no mean achievement to produce 1.2 million bottles of a wine that's as good and as consistent as this. Based on Syrah, with the rest of the blend made up of 11% Grenache, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cinsault and 1% Viognier, it's a seamless cuvée with fynbos, pepper and liquorice aromas, understated oak and flavours of blackberry, bramble and apricot skins. 2025-32" - 93 Points, Tim Atkin MW

"This is wonderfully fragrant, with attractive notes of olive, mulberry and peppercorn. It’s juicy, medium- to full-bodied and very bright, with fine-grained tannins and a lively finish. 74% syrah, 11% grenache, 8% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cinsault and 1% viognier. Delicious already. Drink now." - 92 Points, James Suckling

"The 2023 The Chocolate Block, arguably the Cape's most successful brand in terms of both quantity and quality, is a mixture of 70% estate fruit (mainly from Porseleinberg) and 30% from partnership vineyards on reddish soils that have supplied fruit for 15 to 20 years. It matured for 12 to 14 months in 95% used barriques. Fruit picked after the rains was not included in the blend. The 2023 has a fresh nose with redcurrant and pomegranate fruit, earthy notes and a touch of tea leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit and fine acidity, fresh and vibrant with brown spices and black pepper toward the finish. According to the label, production totaled 4,043 barrels in this vintage—it is some achievement to produce a label of such scale at this level of quality. The Cape couldn't ask for a better ambassador." - 91 Points, Vinous

Producer: Boekenhoutskloof

Country: South Africa

Region: Coastal Region

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Viognier

Appellation: Coastal Region

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml