The Chocolate Block

The Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (69%); Grenache Noir (13%); Cinsault (9%) Cabernet Sauvignon (8%); and Viognier (1%). This vintage is unique in the sense that all the grapes for our blend are now grown in the Swartland, hence its wine of origin certification.

The Swartland vineyards are renowned for its slate and granitic soils, creating tension and vibrancy in the wine. Syrah remains our backbone with Grenache Noir lending a delicate fruitiness and finesse, Cinsault giving floral and ripe strawberry notes and Cabernet Sauvignon contributing good tannic grip and structure in the blend. The Grenache was matured in 600L barriques to retain its unmistakable fruity aromas and a pronounced freshness. The wine matures in 1st (all of the Cabernet Sauvignon), 2nd and 3rd fill French oak barriques as well as 2 500L French oak foudrés for 12 months before it undergoes a light egg-white fining and filtration. 2 236 barriques were selected for our 2018 vintage.

The nose is dense and brooding, yet opulent, with its compote of dark, ripe plums and blackberry and attractive whiffs of liquorice, violets, cocoa and mint. The black fruit and perfume of the nose follow through onto a rich, savoury palate with flavours of dark cherry, red currant, black olives and cured meat. Fine grained, svelte tannins are in perfect balance with the lemony acidity, lending complexity to the mid-palate. The wine is full-bodied with a rich, smooth mouthfeel. The finish is charry and long, with hints of maraschino cherry, pimento olives and sweet tobacco.

“Deep crimson. Intensely fragrant and balsam. None of the overly sweet, chocolatey character of old. Lovey nose, slightly edgy palate and then it just becomes a little edgily dry on the end. But what a sea change! Drink 2019 – 2021.”
16 points.
(Jancis Robinson, JR Purple Pages, September 2019)

75cl / 14%