From magnum. This bottle was clean and fresh, showing a smokey nose, but with plenty of fruit still alongside and smooth as you like, on this showing mags will keep and maybe develop a little longer
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Deep red colour Smells of plums and fruit getting on for dried fruit but not quite, dark spices from new oak Good acidity, quite a lot of smoke initially, touch of the old SA stink but that recedes and you're left with a ripe, spicy wine other plenty of freshness left I don't think it's going to turn into something spectacular but this as good with rare beef. No hurry to drink.
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The nose is somewhat musty and earthy, but infused with peppery coffee and cocoa. Exceptionally smooth, quite rich with light tannins. Black cherry and chocolate.
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From magnum. Decanted for a short while and drank over a few hours. A little Syrah stink on the nose to start with and took 45-60 mins to clean up, although it wasn't too much of a problem, some smokiness here, quite appetising. Quite rich and smooth to drink, tannins pretty much resolved, it feels quite balanced with a fair depth of flavour, decent without impressing too much. It tastes like it will last a few more years, I think the drinking window is a little conservative but it won't be a long term wine either.
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An excellent Southern Hemisphere red blend, composed of 72% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, 2% Viognier. 14.5% ABV yet not at all hot, even 3 hours after opening. Outstandingly silky mouthfeel overall, to a round, Aussie Shiraz, with less gumption yet still great structure. Coffee and violets on the nose, and flavors of red and black currants, mocha, sour plums, and some (cyanide-like?) bitterness on the finish. 90-91+
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Now, after 5 years, The Chocolate block is very good. 2 year ago I wasn't convinced. Now I am! Very full, juicy. Hints of Chocolate and tabacco. Typical south african
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Le vin a perdu de son intensité pour gagner en souplesse. Il me reste un magnun et je le boirai certainement en 2015 ou en 2016, Rien ne sert d'attendre plus longtemps.
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The nose is clean, dense, smoke and plum, black pepper, tobacco leaves, oak with sweet aromas, berry, clove, warm feeling, jammy but fresh. The wine is dry, medium+ body and intensity, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol (14.72%), balanced, chocolate, animal notes, black fruits, tobacco leaves, spices, alcohol bites, liquer notes, medium+ finish. Very good quality, premium price, drinking perfectly now but can hold.
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Interesting blend. Smoke and dirt up front with spice and red fruit on the back. Needed about an hour to really open up. Would give the bottle some air on the next go around. Somebody actually ask if the wine was made with chocolate, pretty strong dark chocolate notes on the palate.
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This was a hefty wine with a robust personality. The nose exuded dark berries with some forest floor. Still some firm tannins a splash decant helped smooth this out. An impressively long finish was my favorite part that vaulted the score to a 90.
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Nose is earthly with strong cherries. On the palette, black licorice, mild tannin's, texture is very smooth. Light short finish. The nose tricks you a bit into expecting a stronger finish however the finish is mild. Paired with a double cheeseburger..I know not the best pairing option.
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South Africa wines (Lou's): Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries and some floral notes. On the palate, black raspberries and dark cherries. Nice texture. Nice finish.
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Quite dark. Nose is sweet, with red fruit and hints of coffee. Full bodied. Palate is fruity, with good acidity and in line with nose. Slight bitter orange peel feel in the mouth. Not super complex. Tannins are very soft. This is now fully mature. I doubt it will evolve much more. Drink up. OK bottle albeit the acidity and slight bitterness stands out a tad too much for me. I guess I am just looking for a bit os sweetness, which is not there in the aftertaste, but only initially. 2 = good
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Late publishing this note but what I remember most is by the 3rd day open this wine was singing which suggest cellaring potential. I would buy again for sure.
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The nose was big, rich and lush with dark red ann black fruits, spice and herbs. On the palate it was smooth and juicy with ripe red fruit that saturated the palate throughout the long seductive finish. This may not be my speed but it’s certainly worth noting that it’s of excellent quality an extremly fun wine.
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Decanted for an hour before drinking. Dark brilliant in the glass. Almost inky. Nose has lots of red fruit and a bit of sweetness. Palate is full bodied. Sweetness continues. Soft tannins and lots of fruit. A bit earthiness. 15-20 second aftertaste. A little bit one dimensional. Nice - drinking well now. May improve slightly. 2/3 = Good to very good.
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Black/red- no SA smokey nose. Supple, full and rounded on the palate - slightly grainy tannins, quite a mixture - pleasureable but after 4 hours decant this bottle began to fade a little: I was quite surprised, it seems to be a young drinking wine.
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Cherry and spice on the nose. The dark chocolate note I got from the 09 is far less pronounced. On the palate, more fruit but still lots of black pepper and wood, slightly salty element on the finish. Relatively soft tannins. The 09 was interestingly different, this just tastes a bit weird.
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Deep colour, rich nose of dark cherries, vanilla and confectionary. Rich and fullfruit-forward on palate with medium intensity finish. Softish but balanced tannins.
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Clear deep red. Almost black. Nose has red fruit, coffee bean, some oak. Medium intensity. Full bodied on the palate with some red fruit, but relatively low acidity. Earthiness with some oak and hints of bitter chocolate. Tannins are smooth but still present. Not very complex, a bit one dimensional. Long aftertaste with coffee notes. Nice, but not fantastic. Nothing wrong. May be more rounded in a year, but will not move much up for me.
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Tasted non blind at home. PnP, then followed over 3 hours. Very weak, red fruit nose with a hint of oak. Similar palate but more blueberry than red fruit with hints of cassis and green peppers. Short finish. Very soft tannins, medium acidity. Definitely not a long term ager and probably not a medium or short term ager either. If this were sub $10, I would keep it around the house for non-intellectual wine nights but for the price, I don't see it.
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Fruit and spice on the nose. Rich palate, again the spices come out with some peppers. Hints of coffee and chocolate, maybe some liquorice. Easily approachable. Nice finish.
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Drank at Stephanie's The 2010 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (72%); Cabernet Sauvignon (13%); Grenache noir (7%); Cinsault (6%) and Viognier (2%).
Very rich nose of red fruits, violets, vanilla and dare I say it chocolate. Rich deep luscious mouth with smooth tannins and a medium length.
For this price point a winner. Try their white wines too their great.
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Sweet, almost candy-like. Lots of fruit, but not a lot of other serious taste. Nice enough wine, just not complex at all. Not particularly excited about this wine.
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Deep ruby, slow moving legs, purple rim. Medium nose, not really clean(?). Spices, black cherries and something in the aromas that does not belong in wine, wet cleaning cloth-like. Dry, medium(-) acidity, medium dry tannins, high alcohol, medium(+) body, flavours of black berries, black plum, pepper. Medium finish. The wine finishes on a sharp spice note and does not feel balanced. Evidently not as bad as my previous experience with the 2009 but this wine does not do it for me.
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Not to our liking. It is interesting, for sure, but as others have said, it is a bit quirky. Perhaps because it is so young. Very strong Syrah and nice chocolate finish, but we'll spend our money on another red blend.
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Another distinctive and individual wine from Boekenhoutskloof. The Chocolate Block is becoming a bit of a quirky favourite of mine for the last couple of years. Very distinctive aromas of tangy beef, cracked pepper, soy sauce. The Syrah elements are really coming out on the palate and have that classic Northern Rhone tangyness with a touch of rust. Then the Southern Rhone richness takes over on the palate with a sexy, rich finish. Young as a pup right now but this has a very tangy, crunchy character that screams out for BBQ food. In an age of smooth, formulaic wines this has a touch of "guts or glory" about it. Not to everyone's taste but good. Will age for 10 years and probably need 2 years to relax into the fruit a touch.
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App: Dark purple red Aroma: Complex dark berries Very full-bodied and good acidity. Decent balance and very good structure. Chocolate, spices and mixed red berries on the palate Good length
Still young, should be better in a couple of years Good wine for BBQ
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12/29/2018 - whme Likes this wine: 94 Points
Sensationally complex with good balance a structure.
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10/20/2018 - kingkanu wrote:
From magnum. This bottle was clean and fresh, showing a smokey nose, but with plenty of fruit still alongside and smooth as you like, on this showing mags will keep and maybe develop a little longer
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10/27/2017 - Cornelius1973 Likes this wine: 75 Points
Appearance: Deep Cherry Red/Black
Nose: Wood, Spice, Berries
Palette: Chocolate, smashed Red berries
Note: Chocolate overpowers, Very fruity/Jammy
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10/10/2017 - Tern Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very balanced, with discernible acidity and strong notes of coffee and chocolate both in the nose and the palate. Lovely and seductive.
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9/17/2017 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
Deep red colour
Smells of plums and fruit getting on for dried fruit but not quite, dark spices from new oak
Good acidity, quite a lot of smoke initially, touch of the old SA stink but that recedes and you're left with a ripe, spicy wine other plenty of freshness left
I don't think it's going to turn into something spectacular but this as good with rare beef. No hurry to drink.
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12/3/2016 - davo22 wrote: 90 Points
The nose is somewhat musty and earthy, but infused with peppery coffee and cocoa. Exceptionally smooth, quite rich with light tannins. Black cherry and chocolate.
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4/10/2016 - jmcmchi wrote: 90 Points
Attractive nose, intense fruit with violets
Rounded mouthfeel, smooth tannins and pepper highlights in long finish
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1/23/2016 - kingkanu Likes this wine: 88 Points
From magnum. Decanted for a short while and drank over a few hours. A little Syrah stink on the nose to start with and took 45-60 mins to clean up, although it wasn't too much of a problem, some smokiness here, quite appetising. Quite rich and smooth to drink, tannins pretty much resolved, it feels quite balanced with a fair depth of flavour, decent without impressing too much. It tastes like it will last a few more years, I think the drinking window is a little conservative but it won't be a long term wine either.
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10/17/2015 - DerekFrance Likes this wine: 94 Points
My only regret is that I don't have any more bottles of this. It was a gift so I don't know where to get more.
It was smooth and rich and delicious with a wonderful balance of so many flavours. 14.5% alcohol yet not strong at all.
A high-quality Australian version of the Rhone valley varietals and a wonderful alternative.
Highly recommended.
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9/27/2015 - joraesque wrote: 90 Points
An excellent Southern Hemisphere red blend, composed of 72% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Grenache, 6% Cinsault, 2% Viognier. 14.5% ABV yet not at all hot, even 3 hours after opening. Outstandingly silky mouthfeel overall, to a round, Aussie Shiraz, with less gumption yet still great structure. Coffee and violets on the nose, and flavors of red and black currants, mocha, sour plums, and some (cyanide-like?) bitterness on the finish.
90-91+
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8/6/2015 - hkm520240 wrote: 90 Points
Soft red fruits with smoky undertones.
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5/26/2015 - St. Joseph Likes this wine: 90 Points
Now, after 5 years, The Chocolate block is very good. 2 year ago I wasn't convinced. Now I am! Very full, juicy. Hints of Chocolate and tabacco. Typical south african
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3/3/2015 - JonnyG wrote: 87 Points
Mocha, figs, black currants. Spoofed, to me.
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11/17/2014 - Frontal wrote: 91 Points
Le vin a perdu de son intensité pour gagner en souplesse. Il me reste un magnun et je le boirai certainement en 2015 ou en 2016, Rien ne sert d'attendre plus longtemps.
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9/30/2014 - wdlohr wrote: 87 Points
A very dark wine with an interesting aroma distinct from typical heavy syrahs. It is a big intense wine but with some tannin and acidity to balance
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9/17/2014 - kostaslonis wrote: 89 Points
South African wines tasting (Le Petit Sommelier): The wine is a blend of Syrah (72%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%), Grenache Noir (7%), Cinsault (6%) and Viognier (3%).
The nose is clean, dense, smoke and plum, black pepper, tobacco leaves, oak with sweet aromas, berry, clove, warm feeling, jammy but fresh.
The wine is dry, medium+ body and intensity, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol (14.72%), balanced, chocolate, animal notes, black fruits, tobacco leaves, spices, alcohol bites, liquer notes, medium+ finish.
Very good quality, premium price, drinking perfectly now but can hold.
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9/14/2014 - St. Joseph Likes this wine: 88 Points
Spicy, leather, chocolate. A bit Sharp but good wine.
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4/26/2014 - Lipin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Interesting blend. Smoke and dirt up front with spice and red fruit on the back. Needed about an hour to really open up. Would give the bottle some air on the next go around. Somebody actually ask if the wine was made with chocolate, pretty strong dark chocolate notes on the palate.
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3/27/2014 - Arch57 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a hefty wine with a robust personality. The nose exuded dark berries with some forest floor. Still some firm tannins a splash decant helped smooth this out. An impressively long finish was my favorite part that vaulted the score to a 90.
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3/11/2014 - TalbotVino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose is earthly with strong cherries. On the palette, black licorice, mild tannin's, texture is very smooth. Light short finish. The nose tricks you a bit into expecting a stronger finish however the finish is mild. Paired with a double cheeseburger..I know not the best pairing option.
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2/26/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 89 Points
South Africa wines (Lou's): Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries and some floral notes. On the palate, black raspberries and dark cherries. Nice texture. Nice finish.
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2/21/2014 - Tpairing wrote: 83 Points
Mild coffee and soft tannins. Over its peak. Drink yesterday.
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1/21/2014 - Sjontoft wrote: 88 Points
Quite dark.
Nose is sweet, with red fruit and hints of coffee.
Full bodied. Palate is fruity, with good acidity and in line with nose. Slight bitter orange peel feel in the mouth.
Not super complex. Tannins are very soft.
This is now fully mature. I doubt it will evolve much more. Drink up.
OK bottle albeit the acidity and slight bitterness stands out a tad too much for me. I guess I am just looking for a bit os sweetness, which is not there in the aftertaste, but only initially.
2 = good
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6/8/2013 - fhprado wrote: 77 Points
Nose: Close some black fruit; Palate: same thing close, strong tannins, some black fruit (raisins) not balance; Finished: very short
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5/11/2013 - Matz Mélange wrote: 95 Points
Excellent wine. Very dark violet color. Intensive taste of black berries, currant, mocha. oaky palate; appealing finish.
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4/19/2013 - epiphany Likes this wine: 89 Points
Late publishing this note but what I remember most is by the 3rd day open this wine was singing which suggest cellaring potential. I would buy again for sure.
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4/11/2013 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 90 Points
The nose was big, rich and lush with dark red ann black fruits, spice and herbs. On the palate it was smooth and juicy with ripe red fruit that saturated the palate throughout the long seductive finish. This may not be my speed but it’s certainly worth noting that it’s of excellent quality an extremly fun wine.
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4/6/2013 - jamesdoeser wrote: 88 Points
widely praised at dinner - drank with light fruity curry. wine was deep in colour and in flavour. not much more to say really.
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3/15/2013 - Sjontoft wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for an hour before drinking.
Dark brilliant in the glass. Almost inky.
Nose has lots of red fruit and a bit of sweetness.
Palate is full bodied. Sweetness continues. Soft tannins and lots of fruit. A bit earthiness. 15-20 second aftertaste. A little bit one dimensional.
Nice - drinking well now. May improve slightly.
2/3 = Good to very good.
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3/1/2013 - wingawh wrote: 90 Points
Dark ruby in color, heavy on fruit with a spice of cloves and cinnamon. Very nice.
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2/17/2013 - CTTarheel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyable Sputh African Syrah blend. Dark red. Heavy cloves, oak and fruit. Loooooong finish. Great with pot roast tonight.
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1/29/2013 - Jasper May wrote: 88 Points
Black/red- no SA smokey nose. Supple, full and rounded on the palate - slightly grainy tannins, quite a mixture - pleasureable but after 4 hours decant this bottle began to fade a little: I was quite surprised, it seems to be a young drinking wine.
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1/27/2013 - DnAWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark ruby; dark red fruits with notes of sweet earth and dark chocolate.
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12/5/2012 - danp wrote: 87 Points
Cherry and spice on the nose. The dark chocolate note I got from the 09 is far less pronounced. On the palate, more fruit but still lots of black pepper and wood, slightly salty element on the finish. Relatively soft tannins. The 09 was interestingly different, this just tastes a bit weird.
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11/12/2012 - Slics wrote: 90 Points
Deep colour, rich nose of dark cherries, vanilla and confectionary. Rich and fullfruit-forward on palate with medium intensity finish. Softish but balanced tannins.
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10/6/2012 - wmccone54 wrote: 86 Points
Good, but over rated
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10/6/2012 - Sjontoft wrote: 88 Points
Clear deep red. Almost black.
Nose has red fruit, coffee bean, some oak. Medium intensity.
Full bodied on the palate with some red fruit, but relatively low acidity. Earthiness with some oak and hints of bitter chocolate. Tannins are smooth but still present.
Not very complex, a bit one dimensional.
Long aftertaste with coffee notes.
Nice, but not fantastic. Nothing wrong. May be more rounded in a year, but will not move much up for me.
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10/4/2012 - floydtp wrote: 83 Points
Tasted non blind at home. PnP, then followed over 3 hours. Very weak, red fruit nose with a hint of oak. Similar palate but more blueberry than red fruit with hints of cassis and green peppers. Short finish. Very soft tannins, medium acidity. Definitely not a long term ager and probably not a medium or short term ager either. If this were sub $10, I would keep it around the house for non-intellectual wine nights but for the price, I don't see it.
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9/5/2012 - Sevencircles wrote: 79 Points
This is not a great wine and I don´t think it will impove over time. A spunky oak taste that I thought would go away after a few hours but it didn´t.
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8/27/2012 - iobtoel Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruit and spice on the nose. Rich palate, again the spices come out with some peppers. Hints of coffee and chocolate, maybe some liquorice. Easily approachable. Nice finish.
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8/23/2012 - RayOB Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank at Stephanie's
The 2010 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (72%); Cabernet Sauvignon (13%); Grenache noir (7%); Cinsault (6%) and Viognier (2%).
Very rich nose of red fruits, violets, vanilla and dare I say it chocolate. Rich deep luscious mouth with smooth tannins and a medium length.
For this price point a winner. Try their white wines too their great.
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4/28/2012 - ckinv368 wrote: 85 Points
Sweet, almost candy-like. Lots of fruit, but not a lot of other serious taste. Nice enough wine, just not complex at all. Not particularly excited about this wine.
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4/10/2012 - hutch wrote: 89 Points
Rich, ripe, ok 89+
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3/10/2012 - rfcarney wrote: 88 Points
surprised by northern rhone syrahness of this, certainly not formulaic or bland
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1/21/2012 - Barolo Raymond wrote: 85 Points
Deep ruby, slow moving legs, purple rim. Medium nose, not really clean(?). Spices, black cherries and something in the aromas that does not belong in wine, wet cleaning cloth-like. Dry, medium(-) acidity, medium dry tannins, high alcohol, medium(+) body, flavours of black berries, black plum, pepper. Medium finish. The wine finishes on a sharp spice note and does not feel balanced.
Evidently not as bad as my previous experience with the 2009 but this wine does not do it for me.
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11/29/2011 - Barrettko wrote: 87 Points
Not to our liking. It is interesting, for sure, but as others have said, it is a bit quirky. Perhaps because it is so young. Very strong Syrah and nice chocolate finish, but we'll spend our money on another red blend.
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11/15/2011 - pjaines wrote:
Another distinctive and individual wine from Boekenhoutskloof. The Chocolate Block is becoming a bit of a quirky favourite of mine for the last couple of years. Very distinctive aromas of tangy beef, cracked pepper, soy sauce. The Syrah elements are really coming out on the palate and have that classic Northern Rhone tangyness with a touch of rust. Then the Southern Rhone richness takes over on the palate with a sexy, rich finish. Young as a pup right now but this has a very tangy, crunchy character that screams out for BBQ food. In an age of smooth, formulaic wines this has a touch of "guts or glory" about it. Not to everyone's taste but good. Will age for 10 years and probably need 2 years to relax into the fruit a touch.
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9/9/2011 - admid wrote: 88 Points
App: Dark purple red
Aroma: Complex dark berries
Very full-bodied and good acidity. Decent balance and very good structure. Chocolate, spices and mixed red berries on the palate
Good length
Still young, should be better in a couple of years
Good wine for BBQ
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