The Chocolate Block 2022 (Boekenhoutskloof)

Cellar for up to 8 years. No need to decant before serving. This popular red has a cult following around the globe thanks to its opulent dark fruit flavours and silky smooth tannins with enticing hints of spice and its namesake chocolate on the long finish. The blend is predominantly composed of Syrah which brings intense black fruit and a distinctive savoury olive note, along with Grenache contributing luscious berry notes and plenty of energy and vivacity. There’s also some old vine Cinsault for elegance and balance, and a drop of Cabernet Sauvignon for extra structure and tannins. The fruit used for this cuvee primarily comes from what winemaker Marc Kent describes as 'one of the world's greatest Syrah vineyards' in Swartland on South Africa’s Western Cape. Once in the winery the grapes are carefully fermented and then matured in a combination of 2,500 litre casks and smaller oak barrels for 13-16 months. This helps to soften the tannins and texture without overwhelming the attractive natural flavours from the fruit. The producer Boekenhoutskloof is based in a charming old farm on the edge of the Franschhoek valley which dates back to 1776. In 1993 the whole property was restored and vineyards planted here with a particular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It quickly become one of South Africa’s most important wineries, and was even named Winery of the Year by South African journalist John Platter in 2012.