The Old Fire Station, Old Market, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire

The Chocolate Block, Boekenhoutskloof

From master winemakers Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Blocks is a blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. A perfect example of identifying “undiscovered” parcels of vineyard with amazing potential and utilizing it to unleash its world class quality.

The Syrah and Viognier fruit come from Malmesbury (Swartland) with its unique growing conditions and dryland farmed vineyards to ensure it deep-rooted vines and therefore optimal concentration of colour, flavour and tannin structure.  The Grenanche Noir is sourced from Piekenierskloof (Citrusdal) with its very sandy soils and perfect terroir for ripening this grape varietal.  The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Franschhoek and the Cinsault is from old bush vines in the Swartland and Piekenierskloof.

The Chocolate Block wine matures in 1st (all of the Cabernet Sauvignon), 2nd and 3rd filled French oak barrels for 18 months before it gets a light egg-white fining and filtration. 2,982 barriques were selected for this wine

Intense blackberry, bramble, and lavender aromas with gentle nuances of potting soil and cured meat dominate a dark and brooding nose. The abundance of perfume and the earthy character of the nose follows through generously onto a powerful palate, with a lush compote of blueberries, ripe plums, black currants &cherries. Cacao-powdery tannins are abundant, adding texture and complexity with an almost savoury mid-palate, seamlessly complementing the vivid dark fruits, alcohol and acidity. This is a robust, structured wine, yet it is delicate, poised and elegant at the same time. Black fruits, cumin spice, white pepper, liquorice and hints of garrigue persist on a velvety finish.

As with all big blends try and give this some air before you drink it, although this will benefit from some cellaring if you can bear to keep it.

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We can deliver anywhere in mainland Britain from £11.95 per case.