It seems appropriate that I found the fantastic wine The Chocolate Block (2007) by Boekenhoutskloof of South Africa at the new Block7 wine store. Although, in truth, the wine and the store are related only by commerce - the commonality of the names is mere chance - I am always tickled by the insignificant congruities in the world.
To be fair, I must admit that I did not so much find this wine as it was recommended by Block7's resident wine guru, Eric Hastings. I asked for a big, fruity red under $30 and he did not hesitate to pull The Chocolate Block out of the rack.
It was a lucky strike because left to do my own shopping, I would have most likely made the unfortunate mistake of passing over this bottle. My limited tastings of South African juice have been rather, well, uninspiring. This was certainly not.
The Chocolate Block is a captivating combination of Syrah(55%), Grenache Noir(20%), Cab(16%), Cinsault(5%) and Viognier(4%). Winemaker Marc Carter Kent displays a magician's touch in the blending resulting in a remarkably perfect marriage of varietals.
Rich and ripe berry flavors at once flood the tongue. Hints of currant and dark chocolate tickle the palate. A generous mouth-feel, medium weight and soft tannins add beautiful complexity to the finish. Round and soft, this wine dazzles. Though it is ready to drink as soon as it is uncorked, it easily has the structure to be rested for several years.
Produced in a lot of just 586 barrels near The Cape Of Good Hope, this is easily my favorite South African wine and has sparked a desire to explore the terroir of the continent more fully.
The Chocolate Block can be had at Block7 for under $30. It can also be purchased through several on-line shops or through the vineyard, itself. But, beware - the price varies quite a bit.
The Chocolate Block is a simple bottle of complex wonders, reaffirming once again, the layman's rule of thumb with regard to wine: The simpler the label, the better the juice.
Comments