2008 Boekenhoutskloof South African (Red Blend) "The Chocolate Block"

Winery: Boekenhoutskloof

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "The Chocolate Block"

Wine Category: South African (Red Blend)

Grape blend: 69% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, & 2% Viognier

Region: Franschhock

State or country: South Africa

Price: $35

Cases produced: 12,488

KWG Score: 90 (based on 1 review)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: March 9, 2010

Wine Review: This dark ruby colored wine is one of the most intriquing, unique, and interesting wines that I have covered from South Africa this year. It opens with an attractive smoky red raspberry bouquet and represents the typical style of South African red. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and juicy. The flavor is a very tasty blackberry with notes of smoky meat. There were also hints of black currant and black pepper mixed in. The finish is dry and its refined tannins are nicely prolonged. This wine was built for steak. Smother it with butter, sautéed shallots and mushrooms and enjoy. Ken

Winemaker Notes: The wine shows typical Malmesbury Syrah flavours on the nose with intense spicy notes which is supported by ripe plum, black fruit and violet aromas. The wine has a grippy acidity and well integrated tannins with a well textured and rounded mouth feel. The long, elegant and succulent finish with superb structure from the Cabernet Sauvignon leads us to believe that this wine has at least 8 years of aging potential.

Organic status: not organic