Chocolate Block 2007 by Boekenhoutskloof

Boekenhoutskloof is a winery in Franschhoek South Africa. We went there for a bit of wine tasting on our holiday, beautiful place, tasting room and mountains. Their top wines are the Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which is listed as one of the top syrahs of the world in the American wine magazine Wine Spectator as well as the British Decanter.

Rather pricy stuff at around 260 to 390 RAN (take away last number and reduce 20% and you are in euro) but fantastic wines. We tried the 2006 and 2003 both made of 100% Syrah; both filled with spicy blackberries, dark fruit and very long well balanced fruity elegant taste. The 2003 being just that bit longer and bigger than the 2006.

Anyway we bought the "Chocolate Block" to take home, a wine made of 5 grapes; Syrah 55%, Grenache 16%, Cabrenet Sauvignon, Viognier (white) and Cinsault. The wine has a nice perfumed smell (probably from the viognier) dark berries, wet wool, chocolate with very smooth tannins and a big fruity beautiful balanced aftertaste. Absolutely great stuff and at 150 RAN you are on a high range in South Africa, but its well worth its price (although we still fancy the Lynx wine in terms of price quality).

They also have a very good Sauvignon Blanc in their Porcupine Ridge range at only 30 RAN (I am not joking!!) A very good winery with a very nice and high quality selection of wine.

Chocolate Block 2007, Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek 150R a def P++ or score around 17,50

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