The Chocolate Block Magnum 1.5L 2020

The nose is dark and brooding and entices with its black fruit aromas and hints of pepper and spice. The blueberry and blackberry of the nose follows through onto a layered, full palate with flavours of dark plums and notes of dust, graphite and cocoa nib. The wine is focused and elegant, with fresh yet integrated acidity and fine-grained tannins, adding to exceptional structure. Black currant and milk chocolate linger on a silky finish.

A Tour of the Boekenhoutskloof Cellar and Winemaking Process

The Chocolate Block 2019

The wine with a global following that might be better than chocolate

Shale & Mica- Schist, Table Mountain Sandstone and Granite

Varied Terroir, Swartland vineyards almost all dry-farmed. Grenache and Cinsault vineyards are mostly bush vines.

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. Grapes are harvested in a combination of hand and machine and transported to the winery for vinification. Grapes are harvested during the early morning hours to ensure they stay cool before being transferred to our steel and concrete tanks for fermentation. A combination of destemmed and whole-bunch clusters ferment for 2-3 weeks with minimal sulphur additions and no acidification. A soft délestage is performed 2-3 times per day. Once maceration is complete, the skins are basket/pneumatic pressed and fed into a combination of fermentation vessels.

Syrah and Cinsault were matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres and barriques. Grenache was matured in seasoned 600L demi-muids. Cabernet Sauvignon was the only component exposed to new French oak barrique. The elevage ranged between 11 & 14 months, dependant on the component and vineyard parcel. 2982 barriques were selected for our 2020 vintage.

Syrah and Cinsault were matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres and barriques. Grenache was matured in seasoned 600L demi-muids. Cabernet Sauvignon was the only component exposed to new French oak barrique. The elevage ranged between 11 & 14 months, dependant on the component and vineyard parcel. 2982 barriques were selected for our 2020 vintage.

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