2010 Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Block, Franschhoek, South Africa
Critics reviews
(Neal Martin- eRobertParker.com #196 Aug 2011)
About this WINE
Boekenhoutskloof Winery
Boekenhoutskloof is one of the most celebrated of all South African wineries and was indeed voted Winery of the Year 2012 by the influential South African journalist John Platter. Created in 1776 and situated in a remote corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, the estate‘s recent fame dates only from 1993 when new owners completely restored the vineyard and established new plantings of varietals such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Viognier.
The driving force here is winemaker Marc Kent, a maverick genius with an unswerving commitment to the highest quality in all that he does. The winery is better known for its reds, especially Syrah and Cabernet, but also makes a stunning white from the Semillon grape amongst a small range of whites.
One of the most iconic wines of Boekenhoutskloof is the famed Chocolate Block, a red blend which changes every year according to the vagaries of the vintage, but is largely based on Syrah. The source of the wine’s name remains a mystery, as the estate’s owners refuse to divulge its origin, but the key point is that the wine is sublime.
Franschhoek
Franschhoek wine region lies to the west of Stellenbosch in a fertile valley surrounded by the Drakenstein Mountains. The town of Frankschoek was founded by fleeing French Huguenots in 1688, who brought along their winemaking traditions and vines. Franschhoek's warm, temperate climate is perfectly suited to the production of powerful, saturated red wines and concentrated, fruit-driven white wines. The most prominent grapes in the region are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
Today it remains very much a boutique wine region with smallholding producers.
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
A brilliant bouquet dominated by exotic, ripe blackberry and wild hedgerow fruits. Enticing with the floral overtones of violet and even a dash of stone fruit. Very beautifully harmonious on the palate with superbly ripe tannins seamlessly interwoven with spicy fresh acidity and layers of ripe black fruit. A wine which has a global following and it’s easy to see why. The Syrah and Cabernet grapes dominate with their spicy, firm texture but the Grenache imparts a dash of black cherry and dark chocolate and the Viognier and Cinsault add a touch of lifted fruit on the nose. Stunning.
72% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, 2% Viognier.
The 2010 Chocolate Block is the perfect example of identifying “undiscovered” parcels of vineyard with amazing potential and utilizing it to unleash its world class quality. The Syrah fruit comes 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. This batch was matured in 600L barrels to retain the unmistakable fruit and freshness on the cultivar. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier come from the organically farmed vineyards of Boekenhouskloof and the Cinsault is from old bushvines on decomposed granite soils in Wellington.
The wine matures in 2nd and 3rd filled French oak barrels for 18 months before it gets a light egg-white fining. 1035 barriques were selected for this wine.
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee