The nose is dark and brooding and entices with its black fruit aromas and hints of pepper and spice. The blueberry and blackberry of the nose follow through onto a layered, full palate with flavors of dark plums and notes of dust, graphite and cocoa nib.
The wine is focused and elegant, with fresh yet integrated acidity and fine-grained tannins, adding to exceptional structure. Black currant and milk chocolate linger on a silky finish.
The wine is focused and elegant, with fresh yet integrated acidity and fine-grained tannins, adding to exceptional structure. Black currant and milk chocolate linger on a silky finish.
Syrah is the predominant variety on both farms and accounts for a 73% contribution to the blend. Grenache (11%) from bush-vines on Porseleinberg is the subtle superstar of the blend that offers a perfumy brightness and allows the wine to deliver a gastronomic texture.
The moderate conditions were a welcome relief for Swartland Cabernet Sauvignon (7%). The cooler, the balanced growing season was particularly beneficial in providing a more elegant, old-world style of the variety. In summary: 2020 is a vintage which shows exceptional balance and texture with youthful elegance. These hallmarks certainly favor significant ageing potential.
Syrah and Cinsault were matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres and barriques. Grenache was matured in seasoned 600L demi-muids. Cabernet Sauvignon was the only component exposed to new French oak barrique. The elevage ranged between 11 and 14 months, dependant on component and vineyard parcel. 2982 barriques were selected for our 2020 vintage.
Winemaker: Mark Kent
The moderate conditions were a welcome relief for Swartland Cabernet Sauvignon (7%). The cooler, the balanced growing season was particularly beneficial in providing a more elegant, old-world style of the variety. In summary: 2020 is a vintage which shows exceptional balance and texture with youthful elegance. These hallmarks certainly favor significant ageing potential.
Syrah and Cinsault were matured in a combination of seasoned 2,500L French oak foudres and barriques. Grenache was matured in seasoned 600L demi-muids. Cabernet Sauvignon was the only component exposed to new French oak barrique. The elevage ranged between 11 and 14 months, dependant on component and vineyard parcel. 2982 barriques were selected for our 2020 vintage.
Winemaker: Mark Kent
In 1993, a group of enthusiasts purchased a farmstead near the town of Franschhoek, that had been founded in 1776. The group painstakingly replanted the vineyards and restored the property, and built a new winery. The farmstead was called Boekenhoutskloof. The winery is committed to innovation in pursuit of quality, and to this end, they have a much more modern regime than many of their neighbors. The winery has gone from one success to another, and one of the best wines has always been The Chocolate Block.
