Boekenhoutskloof Estate The Chocolate Block 2021  £25.01

BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF ESTATE THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK

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. Marc Kent is the chief winemaker and driving force behind the dynamic farm. A maverick spirit, Marc is unafraid to experiment with the unconventional, but his principal commitment is to quality on every level and in every detail.

The quest to understand the name of this wine and the wine itself is now the stuff of legend – it's even launched a graphic novel. While we are not about to reveal all, we can say that the style of the wine is a reflection of our 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 nose is exceptionally perfumed with an abundance of complex red and dark berry fruit, violets and intense aromas of white pepper. Dark brooding fruit follows through onto a structured, opulent palate with notes of cardamom, cumin, cloves and black pepper. The midpalate is rich, textured and balanced with integrated acidity, cocoa powdery tannins and a definite cedarwood character derived from French oak. White pepper lingers on a smooth, lifted finish.

93 Points Platters Guide

Enviable quality plus sizeable production - 107,500 cases in 2018. Sumptuous, with dark berry depth, long savoury finish. Syrah (69%), grenache, cinsaut, a little cab & viognier, all from Swartland. In 1.5L, 3L & 6L too. 2017 (5 stars, 95 pts) also plush & generous.

Wine tasted by Winnie Bowman.