Boekenhoutskloof - The Chocolate Block 2021 (750ml)
Price: $35.99
| Producer | Boekenhoutskloof |
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Western Cape |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 3552 |
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Boekenhoutskloof Description
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 to 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.
Wine Advocate: 92 Points
The 2021 Chocolate Block opens with fresh red fruits, spicy potpourri, plum skin, dark cherry and dusty flowers. With a medium to full body, it presents a delightful mix of red and pink peppercorns. The wine offers succulence and balance with a firm tannic edge and a spicy and delightful finish. This blend, composed of 74% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier, aged for 14 months in a combination of Stockinger foudre and older French oak. It deserves applause. Bravo!
Daniel Hernandez-Brun for K&D: 92 Points
This vintage of the Chocolate Block is more elegant than in previous years, but still very much lets its presence be known. It is a deep ruby color in the glass with an almost inky purple hue, but retaining nice clarity. Aromas of tobacco and cigar box leap from the glass, along with an old world feral garrigue note that slowly reveals wild black and blue fruit. I would have expected it to be earthy, grippy, and ponderous on the palate, but here the fruit is juicy and full, with the oak influence lending texture rather than dominating the flavor profile. That leaf tobacco note forms the backbone of this wine, though it does thin out at the finish.
James Suckling: 91 Points
An inviting nose of pitted cherries, sliced plums, white pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Juicy and savory with nicely ripened red and black fruit. Subtle spice and cocoa undertones.
Vinous: 90 Points
The 2021 The Chocolate Block had been bottled a month before my visit. The Grenache and Cinsault plus part of the Syrah comes from Boekenhoutskloof's own vines and the remainder from purchased fruit. It undergoes whole berry fermentation and aged for 14 months in French barriques and two oak foudres. This has a much more refined and focused bouquet than the Chocolate Blocks of yore, brambly black fruit mixed with pencil lead and undergrowth. Impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with powdery tannins, well judged acidity, quite structured and sappy towards the finish. Fine length.
