Start a new search!
| THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2022 WO Swartland, vegan |
| Vintage Assessments Tasting Note |
Producer |
Boekenhoutskloof |
| This 23rd Vintages release of The Chocolate Block was unfortunately quite disappointing when recently assessed at the tasting bar at LCBO store 149 on November 30. It is certainly not up the great 94-point best buy 2017 reviewed just a few years ago. This is due to the vintage, first time use of the winery’s new OXOline system and theaddition of Syrah from the just-acquired Swartland Partnership Vineyard. First, the 2022 had a much lighter intensity of colour (usually deep dark red). While the nose was fairly bright with slightly spicy, ripe, plum-cassis fruit with some toastiness, there were no smoky, mocha-chocolate notes evident. Taste - dry, only medium+ bodied, very slightly spicy, gently complex, ripe, plum-crancherry-cassis fruit with some sandalwood notes on the lingering finish. Only modest mouthfeel was apparent. I had 14.5% alcohol (15% on the label) and 2.7 g/L residual sugar with a rather high pH of 3.85 and low 5.16 g/L total acidity (#05824 on the lower part of the glass bottle). The new blend is 77% Syrah, 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. It seems ready to drink now - I will see how it evolves. |
CSPC |
129353 |
| Type |
Red Table Wine |
| Agent |
Uni Vin |
| Country |
South Africa |
| Region |
 |
| Rating |
***(90.5 points)
Dry, Bright, Ripe, Ready |
| LCBO Text |
Status |
|
| TASTING NOTE: A skilfully blended and packaged wine that manages to shift large volumes at an extremely profitable price, The Chocolate Block is a clever assemblage of mostly Syrah from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards with 9% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Viognier. Fleshy, perfumed and smooth, it has sweet goji berry and summer pudding fruit, velvety tannins, scented cinnamon oak and a fresh, lifted finish. Drink date: 2024-2029. Score - 93 (timatkin.com, South Africa Special Report 2023) |
Price |
$ 41.95 |
| Bottle Size |
750 mL |
| Tasting Date |
vintages release - November 30, 2024 |
| Cases bought |
280 (12 bottles per case) |
Check LCBO Availability |
|
Score:
- Not Presented * Below Average
*+ OK
** Good
**+ Excellent
*** Outstanding
***+ Exceptional
|
